Local scientists used Hurricane Isaias to test new storm surge technology

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - New technology being developed on the Suncoast may give scientists and forecasters more tools to predict storm surge during hurricanes.Storm surge is one of the deadliest factors of hurricanes and getting real time data helps fine-tune and verify any forecast.New technology known as 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Stations, with rapid deploy storm surge sensors, were used to gather crucial data as Hurricane Isaias came onshore.This was the first time this product has been tested. The people who deployed are from Nokomis.CJ Morgan, a member of Hurricane Track, said remote camera systems and storm surge sensors were installed to actually monitor the storm surge in real time. “That data came in real time back to the National Hurricane Center in Miami,” Morgan told ABC7.According to Morgan, because this is new technology, the sensors and data they gathered from Hurricane Isaias will be used as a case study to see if the technology will be viable in the future.UCAR -- t