National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Aids Flood, Tornado Disasters

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies in responding to the flooding and tornadoes that have caused catastrophic damage in the United States.

In the aftermath of the tornadoes, NGA has provided damage assessments and other geospatial intelligence products crucial in disaster response and debris cleanup in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. NGA is providing daily updates in support of FEMA requirements.

In connection with the Mississippi River flooding, NGA has been producing both predictive analyses and damage assessments as water levels rise and diversion efforts proceed along the river.

NGA supported FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by producing models predicting the effects of releases from the Morganza Spillway in Louisiana.

NGA's analyses include predicted and actual effects on critical infrastructure including roads, railways, airports, hospitals, Red Cross and other emergency facilities, power plants, piers and port facilities, petroleum refineries and other industrial facilities, schools, water supplies, and more.

"NGA provides a common operating picture that enables FEMA and emergency responders to work together more effectively and efficiently," said Philip J. Plack, NGA liaison to FEMA.



To provide quick-turnaround support to FEMA and other agencies, NGA has deployed geospatial analysts to the Joint Field Office in Birmingham, Ala., and to FEMA's Regional Response Coordination Centers in Denton, Texas, and Kansas City, Mo.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is the nation's premier source of geospatial intelligence. As a Department of Defense combat support agency and a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, NGA provides imagery, geospatial and targeting analysis, along with image sciences and modeling for U.S. national defense, disaster relief and safety of navigation. NGA seeks to know the Earth, show the way, and understand the world