Geospatial Disaster Analysis Tool
Project Overview
This geospatial analysis tool was developed as part of an NSF HDBE-funded research project focused on disaster resilience planning. It integrates comprehensive datasets from FEMA, state parcel records, and disaster recovery archives to analyze vulnerability patterns and recovery outcomes. The system helps emergency management agencies identify vulnerable areas, assess potential disaster impacts, and optimize resource allocation for both planning and response phases.
Key Features
- Comprehensive geospatial database integration
- Automated workflows for hurricane impact analysis
- Multi-hazard vulnerability assessment
- Housing infrastructure impact visualization
- Temporal analysis of recovery patterns
- Research-backed decision support tools
Data Sources
- FEMA disaster declaration records
- State and county parcel databases
- Historical hurricane track data
- Census demographic information
- Building infrastructure databases
- Recovery assistance program data
Research Impact
- Identified critical patterns in housing recovery
- Supported multiple academic publications
- Informed policy recommendations for resilience planning
- Created replicable methodology for future research
- Provided decision support for multiple states
Vulnerability Assessment Map
Impact Forecasting
Technical Implementation
Technologies Used
- ArcGIS for comprehensive spatial analysis
- QGIS for open-source GIS processing
- Python for data processing and automation
- PostgreSQL with PostGIS spatial extensions
- Spatial SQL for complex geographic queries
- Mapbox GL for interactive visualizations
Methodology Highlights
- Automated geospatial database integration combining disparate data sources
- Custom Python workflows for hurricane impact area delineation
- Spatial analysis of housing infrastructure vulnerability factors
- Statistical modeling of recovery outcomes based on multiple variables
- Temporal change detection to track reconstruction patterns
- Research-validated visualization techniques for complex spatial data
Research Applications
This tool was developed as part of a larger research initiative examining how communities recover from disasters, with particular focus on housing infrastructure. The geospatial datasets and analytical frameworks created through this project have supported policy recommendations for improving disaster resilience planning across multiple states. The methodologies developed have been applied to several hurricane recovery scenarios, providing valuable insights into factors that influence successful community reconstruction.