NASA Deploys Aircraft to Assist in Texas Flooding Response

NASA has deployed two aircraft to support state and local authorities in ongoing recovery operations in response to recent flooding near Kerrville, Texas. The aircraft are part of NASA's Disasters Response Coordination System, which is working closely with Texas Division of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Save the Children, and GiveDirectly. NASA's Airborne Science Program at Johnson Space Flight Center is conducting aerial surveys to gather high-resolution imagery critical to assessing damage and supporting ground-based recovery efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• NASA's Disasters Response Coordination System is activated to support emergency response for the flooding, working closely with state and local authorities, FEMA, and humanitarian groups.
• Persistent cloud-cover has made it difficult to obtain clear satellite imagery, prompting NASA to coordinate with the Airborne Science Program to conduct aerial surveys using the DyNAMITE sensor.
• The DyNAMITE sensor views the Guadalupe River and surrounding area, providing high-resolution imagery critical to assessing damage and supporting coordination of ground-based recovery efforts.
• The agency's Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) is flying out of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on a Gulfstream III to collect observations over the Guadalupe, San Gabriel, and Colorado river basins.
• UAVSAR can penetrate vegetation to spot water that optical sensors are unable to detect, aiding in understanding the extent of flooding and damage within communities.
• Flights are being coordinated with FEMA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and local responders to ensure data is quickly delivered to those making decisions on the ground.
• Imagery collected will be sent to NASA's Disaster Response Coordination System, and maps and data will be produced to assess the location and severity of flooding in the region and damage to buildings and infrastructure.
• These data will be available on the NASA Disasters Mapping Portal as they become available.

Statistics:

• The DyNAMITE sensor is collecting high-resolution imagery to assess damage and support coordination of ground-based recovery efforts.
• NASA's UAVSAR is flying over the Guadalupe, San Gabriel, and Colorado river basins.
• The UAVSAR team is collecting observations on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to understand the extent of flooding and damage within communities.
• Imagery collected will be shared with emergency response teams and authorities to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
• The NASA Disasters Mapping Portal is being used to share data and maps assessing the location and severity of flooding in the region and damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Sources:

• NASA
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Texas Division of Emergency Management
• Save the Children
• GiveDirectly
• NASA's Disasters Response Coordination System
• NASA's Airborne Science Program
• NASA's Johnson Space Flight Center
• NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center
• NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory