They can be quickly installed in anticipation of a storm. This information will be used to calibrate the storm-surge models used by forecasters along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts and will help them provide improved forecasts of what lands will be inundated and to what depth in future hurricanes. See more on this fine resource from the USGS including access to stream guage KML files.  

The U.S. Geological Survey is proud to announce four major actions taken to prepare for monitoring floods arising from hurricanes and other tropical storms. USGS activities include strengthening streamgages along the Gulf Coast to withstand hurricane-force winds and waters; implementing rapidly deployable, mobile gages on streams lacking monitoring equipment; developing capabilities to measure hurricane-driven storm surges; and installing an emergency satellite-communications and data-distribution system.

KML Files for use in Google Earth

 Display USGS Flood-Hardened streamgages in Google Earth. Google Earth is an interactive, 3D viewer that seamlessly zooms from a global scale down to less than a meter in many urban areas. To display USGS Flood-Hardened Streamgages, download one of the following files and open it in Google Earth.

• http://water.usgs.gov/osw/hurricanes/index.html
• See also the  USGS Hurricane Information Sheet
•  Real-Time Streamflow Conditions
•  Map Comparing Real-Time and Historical Streamflow Conditions

See also NASA Looks Back at Hurricane Katrina One Year Later;
- FEMA Mapping and Analysis Center (MAC) and How FEMA Uses GIS In Disaster Response
- USGS Launches Web Site and Facts Sheets on Earthquakes, Floods, Hurricanes, Landslides, Tsunamis