As Hermine worked its way up the East Coast, scientists deployed several underwater drones they say will help them better understand what sustains and strengthens hurricanes and tropical storms and ultimately better protect life and property.

The ocean gliders, as they are called, resemble yellow-winged torpedoes. They were released into the ocean roughly 161 kilometers offshore at the continental shelf, where at depths of 30 to 91 meters they measured water temperatures, salinity and density before, during and even after the storm.

Traditional research air-craft that are flown into the eye of a hurricane to take measurements cannot get a read on any of that.