Video: Real-Time GIS Lends Critical Insight to Hurricane Response

From the moment a hurricane forms off the coast to the days of recovery efforts that follow landfall, maps provide unparalleled insight into effective emergency response. The Center for Robotic-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) collects aerial imagery to create maps powered by geographic information system (GIS) technology to find survivors and assess damage.

Nearly two dozen search and rescue teams used the Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP) to efficiently coordinate response efforts after Hurricane Ian in 2022. The shared map—used in tandem with drones and GIS—facilitated data sharing, minimizing redundant search efforts and improving resource distribution and search strategies.

Learn more about Esri’s Disaster Response Program.