Abstract
Using Mobile Devices for Enhanced Storm Damage Surveys
Track: Atmosphere, Climate, and Weather
Author
The National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for assessing and recording storm damage following severe weather events. In the past this involved paper maps, hand-written notes, and manual entries into a national database. Efforts are now underway to revolutionize this data collection process using GIS technologies, both mobile- and web-based.
The NWS is currently testing the use of BlackBerry®* smartphones and laptop computers to collect and transmit storm damage data directly from the field to a central server. Detailed damage information, along with geo-tagged photographs, can be uploaded in near real-time, allowing for timely and accurate damage assessments. The collected data can also be easily quality controlled and edited via an Adobe Flex-based web interface. This capability is currently being developed using Freeance Mobile Software, and Esri's ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Mobile products.
Parks Camp
NOAA/National Weather Service
Love Building, 4th Floor
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4509
United States
Phone: 850-443-3165
E-mail: parks.camp@noaa.gov
Keith Stellman
National Weather Service
5655 Hollywood Ave.
Shreveport, Louisiana 71109
United States
Phone: 318-631-3669
E-mail: keith.stellman@noaa.gov
Kris Lander
National Weather Service
7220 NW 101st Terrace
Kansas City, Missouri 64153
United States
Phone: 816-268-3124
E-mail: kris.lander@noaa.gov
Paul Kirkwood
National Weather Service
819 Taylor Street, Room 10A06
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
United States
Phone: 817-978-1100
E-mail: paul.kirkwood@noaa.gov