In late October, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) projects mitigating the impacts of Hurricane Sandy and supporting the rebuilding process received $22.4 million from the Department of the Interior (DOI). Combined with $18.8 million allocated by DOI in May, this is the largest amount ever received by USGS following a natural disaster. The funding was part of $162 million DOI invested in coastal resiliency projects along the Atlantic.

In an Oct. 24 blog post, USGS wrote “the new projects will deliver high-resolution topographical surveys; evaluations of ecosystem resiliency; enhanced storm tide monitoring, vulnerability assessments and data display capabilities; documentation of coastal processes and vulnerabilities of Fire Island, New York and Assateague Island regional areas; assessments of estuarine responses to the storm and changes to the barrier islands; and forecasts of biological vulnerabilities.”