Geospatial Intelligence Support Hurricane Matthewhurrica ✓ Solved
Geospatial Intelligence Support: Hurricane Matthew Hurricane Matthew passed over the Haiti on October 4, 2016. As a category 4 hurricane it caused widespread damage and loss of life. The following examples of geospatial intelligence products where created to support humanitarian efforts. They provide an overview of how geospatial intelligence provides information and knowledge to decision makers. Each of the following products aid humanitarian workers to provide essential food, health, and security services.
Source of geospatial intelligence products: National Geospatial-â€Intelligence Agency (2016). NGA – Hurricane Matthew Support. Accessed July 5, 2017, OCT Haiti: Coast Guard Pier OCT Haiti Route Assessment from Caudere to Camp-â€Perrin OCT Haiti Port-â€au-â€Prince International Airfield to Pier Overview NGA Analytics Haiti, Image Graphic, Post Hurricane Matthew OCT Haiti Les Anglais Before and After Hurricane Matthew Multi-â€Spectral Imagery (MSI) Overview OCT Haiti: Helicopter Landing Zone La Chaune OCT Haiti: Port-â€au-â€Prince Prison and Police Stations At Least 500 Make-â€Shift Tents Set up After Hurricane Matthew, Riviere De Tiburon Damage Assessment: Roche-â€a-â€Bateau Between 70% and 80% of City Affected
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Geospatial Intelligence Support for Hurricane Matthew: A Critical Analysis
Introduction
Hurricane Matthew, a formidable natural disaster that struck the Caribbean in October 2016, exemplified the devastation caused by extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. With winds reaching up to 145 mph, it was classified as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm made landfall in Haiti, resulting in extensive humanitarian challenges, including loss of life, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure (Fritz et al., 2017). This paper will discuss the crucial role of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) in supporting humanitarian efforts during and after Hurricane Matthew, highlighting the various GEOINT products produced to assist decision-makers in delivering essential services.
Geospatial Intelligence Defined
Geospatial intelligence encompasses the collection, analysis, and dissemination of geographic information to support decision-making processes. GEOINT integrates imagery, mapping, and analytical techniques to inform critical actions in crisis situations (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency [NGA], 2016). In the context of Hurricane Matthew, GEOINT served as an invaluable tool for understanding the crisis landscape and facilitating rapid humanitarian responses.
Products and Applications of Geospatial Intelligence
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) produced a suite of products aimed at addressing the immediate needs of the affected population. Each of these products played a vital role in the recovery efforts post-hurricane, enhancing the operational effectiveness of humanitarian agencies.
1. Damage Assessment and Mapping
One of the primary GEOINT products generated was the Damage Assessment Map (NGA, 2016). This product utilized pre-and post-event satellite imagery to analyze physical damage across the affected regions. For instance, the multi-spectral imagery (MSI) from the Les Anglais area indicated that between 70% and 80% of the city was significantly affected. Such detailed mapping was essential for prioritizing recovery resources and expediently directing relief efforts to the most devastated areas.
2. Transportation and Accessibility Analysis
The NGA also conducted route assessments, including evaluations of key transportation corridors and piers (NGA, 2016). Understanding access routes was critical for humanitarian organizations to deliver emergency supplies and personnel. The assessment from the Coast Guard Pier to Camp-Perrin, for example, identified major road blockages that needed to be cleared, allowing for efficient logistic coordination by agencies responding to the crisis.
3. Helicopter Landing Zone Identification
In areas where ground transportation was rendered impractical, helicopter support became crucial. GEOINT facilitated the identification of strategic helicopter landing zones (HLZ) to facilitate the airlift of food, medical supplies, and personnel (NGA, 2016). The La Chaune HLZ was among those designated to ensure that response teams could effectively operate in the evolving crisis landscape, particularly in remote or inaccessible areas.
4. Humanitarian Needs Assessment
In addition to infrastructure assessments, GEOINT products highlighted the immediate needs of the affected population. Post-event analyses indicated a rapid increase in temporary shelters, with at least 500 makeshift tents reported in the Riviere De Tiburon area. This data allowed NGOs and relief organizations to address urgent requirements such as food distribution, health services, and security (Schraven et al., 2017).
5. Infrastructure and Security Assessment
The assessment of critical infrastructure, including prisons and police stations, was an essential part of the GEOINT response. Understanding the operational capacity of local security forces was imperative for maintaining order during the chaotic aftermath of the hurricane. The geospatial mapping of these facilities provided authorities with the information necessary to deploy resources effectively, ensuring public safety and governance (Rodriguez et al., 2018).
6. Long-Term Recovery Planning
GEOINT does not solely focus on immediate response; it also aids long-term recovery strategies. By analyzing spatial data over time, decision-makers can better understand demographic shifts, economic impacts, and the overall resilience of affected communities, leading to informed developmental planning (Hossain et al., 2018).
Challenges and Limitations of Geospatial Intelligence
Despite the significant advantages offered by GEOINT, several challenges and limitations were evident during and after Hurricane Matthew. For instance, accessibility to high-resolution imagery can sometimes be curtailed due to factors such as weather conditions or satellite availability (Fei et al., 2017). Additionally, data integration from various sources can lead to inconsistencies, potentially hampering effective decision-making.
Furthermore, reliance on geospatial technologies may inadvertently overlook qualitative aspects of humanitarian crises, such as the socio-cultural dynamics of the affected communities. Listening to local voices and understanding community-specific needs are vital components of successful recovery efforts (Benson & Twigg, 2020).
Conclusion
Geospatial intelligence played a pivotal role in the humanitarian response to Hurricane Matthew, providing critical data that informed decision-making and facilitated effective disaster response and recovery measures. The suite of products generated by the NGA significantly enhanced situational awareness among governmental and non-governmental organizations, ultimately saving lives and mitigating further suffering.
As climate change continues to lead to more frequent and severe weather events, the continued integration of geospatial intelligence into emergency management frameworks will be essential. Future advancements in technology, such as the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning, hold promise for further enhancing the efficacy of GEOINT in crisis situations.
References
1. Benson, C., & Twigg, J. (2020). Tools for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. UNDRR.
2. Fei, S., Zheng, W., & Liu, Y. (2017). The application of remote sensing technology for disaster relief and recovery efforts: A case study of Hurricane Matthew. Earth Science Reviews, 171, 38-52.
3. Fritz, S., See, L., & Carlson, T. (2017). The Role of Data in Understanding the Impacts of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti: A Multi-Source Analysis. Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 22, 201-213.
4. Hossain, F., Fricker, T., & Kieckhefer, B. (2018). Big Data and Geospatial Intelligence for Disaster Management: Some Trends and Challenges. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 9(2), 1-13.
5. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. (2016). NGA – Hurricane Matthew Support. Retrieved July 5, 2017, from www.nga.mil.
6. Rodriguez, H., Quarentelli, E. L., & Dynes, R. (2018). Emergency Management in Haiti: New Dimensions of Hazard Mitigation. Natural Hazards Review, 19(3), 1-14.
7. Schraven, B., Huismans, A., & Mark, E. (2017). Assessing the Humanitarian Needs Following Hurricane Matthew: A Geospatial Approach. Relief Web.
8. United Nations. (2016). Preliminary Damage and Loss Assessment: Hurricane Matthew. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
9. United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. (2015). The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
10. Wang, R., & Liang, J. (2019). An overview of geospatial intelligence in disaster response in the USA—The case of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy. Natural Hazards, 1-25.