Module 5: Hurricane Storm Path and Damage Assessment

Module 5 focused on the application of GIS towards hurricane storm mapping and post-storm damage assessment. Hurricane Sandy data, such as the central lat/long, wind speed, and barometric pressure, was mapped to show the storms progression from tropical depression to hurricane, to post tropical cyclone. 

Additionally, hurricane damage was assessed using a structural damage ratings like the ones below: 

   0 = No damage

   1 = Affected

   2 = Minor damage

   3 = Major damage

   4 = Destroyed

This was assessed by comparing satellite imagery taken before the storm and immediately after the storm and creating a point for each parcel within the study area that classified the damage rating. Two tips that worked well in this analysis was to view the structures and parcels at a scale of 1:500 to view the most details and to utilize the swipe function to quickly compare the pre and post storm imagery. Additional data that was assessed was the presence of wind damage, evidence of inundation, and the type of structure. One thing to note is that some damage was difficult to determine if it was caused by strong winds or caused by flooding, such as debris piles or collapsed roofs. A screenshot of the study area (purple boundary) with the final point structure data, symbolized by increasing structural damage, is below. 

The final table analysis is also included below: 

Based on the analysis, 100% of the structures were destroyed within 100m of the shoreline. Between 100m-200m of the shoreline, 72.9% of structures experienced major damage or were destroyed, while 39.0% of structures experienced major damage or were destroyed between 200-300m of the shoreline. This information can be extrapolated to other areas within the vicinity to get an overall estimate of the local damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. 

This type of analysis and storm path mapping processes are especially relevant now, during the 2024 hurricane season, as both are needed to provide accurate public information to those that will be affected by the predicted storm path and to assess the damage post storm.