Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/620205
New High-res Maps New storm surge maps, like previous ones, are being created using GIS (Geographic Information System). This is a computer-based information system and tool capable of capturing, storing, analyzing and displaying location information. The tool inputs data from various sources, such as aerial photography, and combines these layers of information in various ways to perform analysis and create maps. The new maps will be a considerable improvement from the older maps because they will have higher resolution storm surge modeling data and topography that will provide greater detail and accuracy. The new maps not only will show the extent of inland storm surge, but also the depth of the water—in ranges of feet—during different categories of storms. In addition, the maps will illustrate areas that will experience more flooding and areas that will experience less flooding. "Knowing what the depth of water may be in those areas helps emergency managers better perform their initial response after a storm and helps them know what kind of impacts they may expect during these types of storms," said Cresitello. As a result, emergency managers can better focus their limited resources. "As emergency managers dealing with the recovery effort and critical decision making, these storm maps provide the geographical area of primary concern where efforts and resources need to be focused to make es- sential and accurate damage assessments to determine life and property hazards," said Schneyer. "In the initial stages of a response our recovery resources are limited, especially for an event the size of Sandy. If resources are dispatched to areas that were not impacted, valuable time is lost mobilizing and re-assigning those resources," he said. Web-based Public Viewing The USACE storm maps are not just tools for agencies, but also for the general public. Schneyer said, "These maps provide an important level of awareness to residents that either live in a flood area or are preparing to purchase property located in a potential flood zone or hurricane storm surge zone." Schneyer's agency is bringing this awareness directly to its residents. They are taking the information from the Army Corps' maps and entering it into an interactive mapping program developed and viewable on the county's Web site. Members of the public can visit the site to locate their residences, see if their homes are in a hurricane storm surge zone and, if so, which designated shelter is nearby. The Army Corps also wants the public to use these resources. "It's important for people to know their specific zone," said Cresitello. "The public should be aware of what evacuation zone they live in and should listen to their local officials (i.e. mayor, emergency manager, etc.) so they don't question or ignore an official emergency evacuation order." He added, "We don't want the public deciding on their own if they should evacuate or not. If a location is in danger then they should heed the evacuation order. It doesn't matter if it's six inches or 10 feet of water." During Sandy, people who should have evacuated but didn't were stranded without help and faced many dangers including electrocution from downed power lines and fires from massive gas leaks. "The more information, especially information resulting from scientific studies and available technology, the more situationally aware we and our residents will be," Schneyer said. "This very valuable resource is an excel- lent tool for public education, emergency management planning and emergency preparedness in general." PEOPLE IN THE KNOW 2015 / STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION 25 JoAnne Castagna, Ed.D. is a public affairs specialist and writer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. She can be reached at joanne.castagna@usace.army.mil. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/writer4usacenyc. New high-tech surge maps from the Army Corps of Engineers could better prepare the public and save lives.