Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth named storm of the season, has caused major flooding and spawned tornadoes as it moves through the Southeast, potentially becoming the wettest landfall hurricane ever. Debby formed in the Gulf of Mexico before reaching Florida as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm caused four deaths and moved slowly across northern Florida, bringing wind speeds of 65 mph. Debby has caused significant weather events in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, with flooding expected to continue in other states.
Before Debby hit Florida, a Saildrone Explorer drone ventured into the eye of the storm, capturing wind gusts of over 69 mph and waves over 16 feet high. Saildrones are durable, uncrewed surface vehicles that collect data on hurricane conditions in partnership with NOAA. Equipped with sensors to measure various conditions, the USVs sail autonomously along predetermined routes. This year’s mission aims to gather data on how salinity impacts hurricane development and intensification, as well as measuring air-sea CO2 exchange during storms.
The current Saildrone mission will last until October, with data collected from the USVs paired with information from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft and gliders. The USVs are powered by renewable wind and solar energy, providing valuable insights into the behavior and impact of hurricanes.
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www.usatoday.com
Experience a breathtakingly close view of Hurricane Debby through the lens of a drone
