ORNL Data Assists FEMA in Disasters

Data for Disasters

ORNL researchers help FEMA prepare for and respond to Michael and other disasters.

by scott barker • October 15, 2018

(Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy)

As Hurricane Michael hurtled toward its devastating rendezvous with the Florida panhandle last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency marshalled its resources for the response -- including detailed data on virtually every structure in the storm’s path from researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
ORNL team combines satellite imagery with advanced computing to compile data on structures in at-risk areas.
A team led by Mark Tuttle at ORNL has supplied geospatial data gleaned from satellite imagery and advanced computing to help FEMA identify structures at risk during hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters.
“During devast...