All Hands on Deck Data Collection Response to 2022 Bering Sea Storm from Typhoon Merbok

Author: Jones, Leslie, State of Alaska Geospatial Office

Video Presentation

Abstract

The remnants of Typhoon Merbok began approaching the Bering Sea Thursday, September 15, 2022 where the storm transitioned into an extratropical low pressure system. The minimum central pressure was 937 mb at 4:00 AM Friday, which is the lowest pressure ever recorded in the Bering Sea for the month of September and for any time of year along portions of its track. Storm surge and waves impacted over 1,000 miles of coastline and at least 35 communities, with over 30 ft waves measured offshore of Nome and 8-12 ft of storm surge above mean higher high water measured across communities in Norton Sound. Damages to homes, public infrastructure, and subsistence resources are still being quantified. In advance of and during the immediate aftermath of the storm, partners from all sectors reached out to contribute what they could to support Alaska's communities. Very quickly, a coordination team and communication pathways were developed to capture impacts from existing monitoring infrastructure and local partners, plan and carry out post-storm high water mark, unmanned aerial system, and satellite data collection surveys, as well as process data to feed out to emergency responders and the public. Because of this all hands on deck approach, this will be the most well documented coastal storm event in Alaska history which will help facilitate damage assessment and community assistance well into the future. These data will also inform future storm modeling efforts which enhance weather forecasting, communication of hazardous weather events, and long-term community planning. This presentation will cover the coordinated data collection effort, highlight partner inputs, and share outcomes and access points to the storm data.

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