We support disaster response missions with GIS

Esri’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) assists with disasters worldwide as part of our corporate citizenship. We support response and relief efforts with GIS technology and expertise when your capacity is exceeded.

When you need help quickly, Esri can provide data, software, configurable applications, and technical support for your emergency GIS operations. Use GIS to rapidly access and visualize mission-critical information about the specific locations affected by a disaster. Get the information you need fast, in a way that’s easy to understand, to make better decisions during a crisis.

Areas of support

Explore live interactive public information maps on these disaster types supported by the Disaster Response Program.
Building remains and debris following an earthquake

Earthquakes

Get earthquake help
Get earthquake help
Residential area nearly fully submerged under water
Active Response
Active Response

Flooding

Get flooding help
Get flooding help
Aerial view of a refugee camp

Humanitarian

Get humanitarian help
Get humanitarian help
Aerial view of a hurricane
Active Response
Active Response

Hurricanes

Get hurricane help
Get hurricane help
Severe weather activity shown in varying hues of purple over the pacific northwest.

Severe Weather

Get severe weather help
Get severe weather help
Wildfire moving close to a structure

Wildfires

Get wildfire help
Get wildfire help

How Esri’s Disaster Response Program can help you

Esri was founded to help solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. For over 20 years, the Disaster Response Program has provided GIS support to our users and the global community during disasters. When you’ve reached your limit, here are ways we can help.

ArcGIS software

Esri customers can temporarily extend existing licenses to support their organization’s increased GIS requirements during a disaster response. New to GIS or not yet a customer? Gain temporary access to ArcGIS, the world’s leading GIS platform.

Workflow implementation

Are you looking for modern capabilities to support situational awareness, impact analysis, damage assessment, operational briefings, or public information? We can implement or help you configure battle-tested solutions during your response.

Geospatial data

Put your response in context by using existing data from ArcGIS Online and the Living Atlas, such as real-time weather, traffic, hazards, infrastructure, and demographics. We’ll connect you with incident-specific data shared by the response community and private sector.

Technical support

The last thing you need during a response is for something to break down. During your response, gain access to our industry-leading premium support services. A dedicated team of professionals is ready to address any question or issue related to the ArcGIS platform.

Monitor incidents worldwide

Maintain constant situational awareness with live feeds from around the globe. 

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The story of GIS in disaster response

2017
2017

Busiest year on record

The Disaster Response Program had its busiest year on record as a result of three major hurricanes, multiple devastating wildfires, and severe flooding.

Read about mapping wildfires
2014
2014

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17

The Disaster Response Program assisted with rapid information sharing capabilities between multiple global locations in a matter of hours in response to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

Read about the MH17 response
2009
2009

Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill

Multiple organizations shared situational awareness applications that supported the response and clean-up efforts for the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill.

Read about the spill response
2005
2005

Hurricane Katrina

Katrina was one of the costliest tropical cyclones in US history. The Disaster Response Program provided direct support for several agencies, including a regional database, damage assessment, search and rescue, and map production.

Read about the GIS volunteers
2001
2001

9/11 World Trade Center

An emergency operations center with GIS capability was established on Pier 92 to support the World Trade Center response and recovery efforts. 20,000 maps were produced in the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Read about the 9/11 response
1994
1994

Northridge earthquake

Esri's first activation of the Disaster Response Program supported the response to the Northridge earthquake with advanced impact modeling and damage assessments.

View the earthquake shakemap

Maps for the media

Request embedded maps or interview topic experts for your disaster-related editorial features and news stories.

Send a media request

Disaster resources

Explore solution templates, incident-specific data, resource catalogs, and live data feeds to support your disaster response.

View resources

Get help now

If you need GIS software or support for your current disaster response, please request assistance by completing the form. All requests should be fully justified and are subject to approval.

Request assistance

Explore how Esri supports other areas of public safety

Emergency and disaster management

Law enforcement and national security

Fire, rescue, and emergency medical services

Connect with the Disaster Response Program