GIS, Maps and Katrina - Sept 9

Coverge of mapping, GIS and geospatial technologies on Sept 9.

Data and Applications

“A whole bunch of open source GIS’ers have been working with the San Diego State University to put a gigantic WMS [Web Map Service] of just about every bit of Katrina imagery together that we can find.” [My first look saw the NOAA aerial imagery delivered via MapServer to Web browser; other interfaces are available.] (Via Howard Butler)
Katrina Image Warehouse

“A team from the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER, usually pronounced “Em-sear”) [Cornell University] began Sept. 6 to survey Mississippi coastal communities, collecting this and other information and keying it to precise locations determined by GPS locators. The information will be relayed daily to Cornell’s Ithaca campus and added to a Geographic Information System (GIS) database that will be accessible on the Web through a map of the Mississippi Gulf coast.

“Arthur Lembo, a Cornell research associate in crop and soil sciences, developed the database and Web site….” using “a commercial GIS map-making application called Manifold.”
Cornell Press Release

“Far above Louisiana and Mississippi the satellite Terra searches the damage Katrina left in its wake. Using a camera system called ASTER (Advanced Space-born Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer), Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists organize images and data that help characterize the extent of flooding including damages to homes, businesses, and infrastructure and assess potential hazards caused by the storm.”
La Canada Valley Sun (La Canada Frintridge, California)

Volunteers

“In addition to the firefighters, the city’s GIS and mapping coordinator, Curtis Copeland, has been put on a stand-by list for activation to Mississippi by the GISCorps. According to the city, an urgent request went out for 20 Geographic Information Systems volunteers from around the country for Mississippi’s Emergency Operation Center in the state’s capitol, Jackson. GIS is computer technology that manages, analyzes and disseminates geographic knowledge.”
Branson Daily News (Branson, Mo)