April 26, 2022

How to Use Aerial Imagery to Optimize Disaster Response This Storm Season

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In 2021, there were 20 climate disasters that each resulted in losses of at least $1 billion in the U.S., according to NOAA.

Researchers say that the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season will be even more active, with at least 19 named storms and nine hurricanes—four of which will be Category 3 or higher—compared to the average season of 14 named storms.

To help state and local governments maintain an accurate, effective disaster preparedness and response plan, this article will share how emergency management teams can best prepare for the 2022 storm season with an up-to-date disaster response plan supported by timely, high-quality aerial imagery. We’ll also explore specific emergency response resources from EagleView, including our Disaster Response Plan (DRP). 

Emergency Planning and Preparedness

According to FEMA, local governments are the first line of defense against emergencies and disasters and are primarily responsible for managing the response to and recovery from those events. 

To plan and prepare for disasters, emergency management teams can utilize aerial imagery to:

  • Design and maintain an up-to-date, accurate, and effective disaster response plan.
  • Review recent and historical imagery to identify risks for flooding, inclement weather incidents, wildfires, and other hazards.
  • Monitor ongoing risk factors, including an up-to-date assessment of areas that are most likely to flood in the event of a storm.
  • Track and monitor areas at risk for wildfires and other disasters using visualization tools like 3D Mesh layers and Near InfraRed (NIR) imagery.
Identify and Monitor Areas That Are at High Risk For Disaster Events
Coastal Areas and Land Erosion

The increasing number of hurricanes, rising sea levels, and melting Arctic sea ice continue to impact flooding and shoreline erosion.

Tracking aerial imagery year-over-year enables you to compare current and historical imagery of precise locations, giving you a geo-accurate and consistent historical view of coastal erosion, water lines, and other visible changes.

Floodplain Analysis and Monitoring

LiDAR uses the Near InfraRed (NIR) spectrum, enabling emergency planners to determine flood zones, calculate impervious surface, and assess coastlines and other areas for erosion.

3D Mesh tools are also available to analyze contour and slope, as well as model the effects of flooding.

In March 2019, Davison County, SD, experienced catastrophic flooding. Using aerial imagery, they were able to quickly assess the scope of the disaster, determine which areas were hardest hit and required the most attention, and accurately map and analyze which residents live in floodplain areas and may be vulnerable to future catastrophic events—potentially saving them tens of thousands of dollars in future flood damage losses.

View Historical Imagery to Track Evolution Over Time

Aerial imagery is vital for tracking environmental changes over time, including coastal erosion, rising temperatures, longer growing seasons, changes in precipitation patterns, deforestation, and other visible changes to land. 

GIS software lets researchers gather data about air, water, and land pollution and monitor their spread or cleanup efforts.

Disaster Response
Triage and Response

Timely and accurate aerial imagery is an essential tool to help emergency response personnel remotely assess storm damage for areas that aren’t safe to access on the ground.

Rapid Remote Damage Assessments also enable government agencies to quickly send impact data to state and federal agencies and expedite relief efforts and funding support, as well as provide accurate measurements on ortho and oblique imagery to support residents and businesses with claims processes and recovery efforts.

For example, the Woodford County, KY, emergency management team used aerial imagery taken during peak flooding to assess the damage—without putting emergency response teams at risk in unsafe conditions. They were then able to view the entire impacted area, measure and quantify the damage, and submit that data to the state and to FEMA for immediate disaster assistance. They were not only able to do incredibly effective damage assessments, but complete them much faster than they could have ever done with boots on the ground.

Increase public transparency

After a disaster, providing the public with access to aerial imagery allows residents to see the situation on the ground, helping them determine when it’s safe to return to their homes, as well as assess the impact, without having to come back to unsafe conditions.

EagleView’s Disaster Response Program 

Imagine being able to capture accurate, high-resolution imagery immediately after a severe storm to help those on the ground with recovery efforts.

EagleView’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) can equip emergency response teams with imagery and data they need after a major storm to assist with rescue and recovery. 

All EagleView contracts include DRP, which means EagleView will fly affected areas which meet certain criteria at no additional cost for the following types of events*: 

  • Hurricane: areas affected by hurricanes of Category II and higher.
  • Tornado: areas affected by tornados rated EF4 and higher.
  • Terrorist: areas affected by damage from terrorist attack.
  • Earthquake: areas affected by damage to critical infrastructure resulting from earthquakes measured at 6.0 or higher on the Richter scale.
  • Tsunami: areas affected by damage to critical infrastructure resulting from tsunamis.

*Discounted flights are also available for events which don’t meet or exceed the criteria. 

“The ability to capture images and provide visual intelligence is essential for rapid recovery after a catastrophic event. We are committed to flying every major event and having images available directly afterward for our Government clients. We are focused on constant development of improved aerial image capture, leading-edge software solutions and the fastest and most scalable operations available today.”

-Robert Locke, President of Government Solutions at EagleView
Learn How EagleView Can Help

Aerial imagery is a critical component of an effective emergency management plan. To learn more about how EagleView can help, visit our government page below.

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