Scientists with the United States Geological Survey were in northern Westchester during last Friday's severe storm to analyze river conditions and collect data to help shape future storm responses.

The group was created through an act of Congress in 1879 and acts as the science arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Researchers use data through mapping and biological conditions to support decision-making on environmental, resource and public safety issues.

USGS operates a nationwide network of surface water stream gauges that constantly collect data on the changing water levels. Crews periodically take measures of the volume of water moving through the gauges at any time and relay that as real-time data.

Last week and into the weekend, crews were dispatched to help monitor flooding in and around New York City.

"We compute and update those values to better build infrastructure [and] to better plan for emergency response," said Guy Foster, a member of the United States Geological Survey. The group has seven gauges in Westchester including the Cross River, West Branch Croton River, and the Titicus River.

Scientists documented some of the highest water levels in over a decade at those three locations. 

Information from this type of research can help protect communities before, during, and after flood events by better understanding historical storm tendencies.