Module 5: Damage Assessment

In this module we covered damage assessments in ArcGIS Pro. The lab started by creating a map showing the path of hurricane Sandy. We mapped not only the path of Sandy but also the changes it made from a tropical depression to a hurricane and the locations where that took place. 


In this section of the lab, I used ArcGIS Pro to analyze structural damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, focusing on how distance from the coastline influenced the severity of damage. The process began by overlaying pre- and post-storm imagery to visually inspect damage, using swipe and flicker tools for quick comparisons. I then calculated the distance of each damaged structure from a digitized coastline using the Near tool.

To explore patterns, I grouped structures into distance bins (0–100 m, 100–200 m, and 200–300 m) and summarized the number of structures in each damage category within those ranges. The results showed a strong trend: structures closer to the coast were more likely to be destroyed or severely damaged, while those farther inland had mostly minor or no damage. For example, in the 0–100 m range, nearly all structures showed some level of impact, including the highest counts of destroyed buildings.

This analysis highlights the power of spatial data in understanding disaster impacts. While the results suggest a clear relationship between coastal proximity and structural vulnerability, extrapolating these findings to other areas should be done cautiously. Factors like elevation, construction type, and storm surge variability all play a role. Still, tools like ArcGIS give emergency planners and responders a critical edge in preparing for and responding to future coastal disasters.



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