During times of crisis, emergency, and destructive weather incidents, we look to real-time maps. They are a crucial component in emergency response, disaster monitoring, and reporting. Tools like web GIS, vector maps, open data feeds, and the like are at our disposal. Many useful web resources are available to us to support situational awareness and save lives.
Hurricane Florence Error Cone: Projected Impact
Esri has produced a map of #HurricaneFlorence ‘s current and forecasted storm track. The map calculates the number of people who live within the affected area and gives a snapshot of who they are. According to Esri, regular updates will come to the map. This analysis was completed using the Enrich Layer tool in ArcGIS Online. It is important to note the area affected by a tropical cyclone can extend well beyond the confines of the cone enclosing the most likely track area of the center. Jump directly to the map here.
Esri Disaster Response Program
Esri is supporting organizations that are responding to hurricane/cyclone disasters with software, data, imagery, project services, and technical support. These organizations are encouraged to contact Esri for assistance. Esri produced a resource with continuously updated hurricane information that shows the projected paths, storm surge, weather warnings, and precipitation. See the real-time effects of the storm via social media posts.
Hurricane Incident Journal
FEMA’s Hurricane Incident Journal provides relevant spatial decision-making support for FEMA leadership and a view into federal information available to the general public. This website is a part of the FEMA GeoPlatform.
Wind Maps
Additionally, check out this impressive resource from the Global Forest Watch. The real-time wind speed data layer displays the enormous size and strength of Hurricane Florence. This web map was designed to provide data layers like active wildfire locations, protected areas, and land use data. However, they also have an active wind data layer. Hurricane Florence is gaining strength and approaching the east coast. The wind layer using vector tiles results in a powerful map that paints a very impressive, and potentially frightening, picture of what is unfolding. See Global Forest Watch.
Examples of Configuring ArcGIS for Hurricanes
Are you responsible for building and deploying a web service to monitor hurricane-related information? This resource provides some valuable tools that are at your disposal. This catalog resource shows demonstrative application configurations to support Hurricane events.
Many of our friends, colleagues, business partners, and their families are potentially in harm’s way of this extreme event. We wish you all the best to be safe and not in danger. Kudos to the many users of Admin Tools for ArcGIS Online who are supporting their communities. Your expertise with maps, data, and other real-time information is crucial. We are proud to be supporting you in your work.
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