Damage Assessment Toolkit

Jason DeeseLead ForecasterNWS Peachtree City

2014

Damage Assessment Toolkit

Jason DeeseLead ForecasterNWS Peachtree City

Damage Assessment Toolkit

Jason DeeseLead ForecasterNWS Peachtree City

• Lack of uniformity in data collection.

• Lack of uniformity in data retention.

• Lack of uniformity in data production.

• Data accuracy issues.

Damage Assessment Toolkit

Jason DeeseLead ForecasterNWS Peachtree City

DAT Background

• Developed to improve the speed, accuracy and consistency of storm damage data collection and reporting.

• DAT is a field innovation - developed by WFOs in 2005, tested by WFOs, updates and new features based on WFOs staff input.

DAT contributes to a Weather Ready Nation

Enhancing IDSS: Partners want to know what we know Combining DAT collected and quality controlled data with other NWS

storm data results in comprehensive situational awareness Help to better prepare our communities for extraordinary events Provides a time saving collaborative tool for pilot project Emergency

Response SpecialistsNext Generation Dissemination Requirements

Deploying DAT via the Cloud as an NWS wide IT tool is the realization of NWS delivering knowledge “anytime anywhere via a scalable, agile, and cost-effective infrastructure”

Technologically relevant customer/partner support to deliver cutting-edge science

Collect

Quality Control

Disseminate• KML

• Shapefile• GIS Service

Damage Assessment Toolkit Overview

GeoSpatial Database

Store

Options for Entering Storm Damage Data

In the Field:1. Laptop PC Application + GPS – Govt owned Device2. iPhone/iPad/Blackberry Mobile Application – Govt

owned Device3. Android/iPhone/iPad/Blackberry Application –

Personal owned DeviceIn the Office:4. Laptop PC Application – Govt owned Device5. Web Editor – any internet connected PC

Laptop Data Collection and Transmission

• Laptop Application:– PC Application– Garmin 18x USB GPS

• Key Features:– Detailed base map cache– Operates off the cell network– GPS position shown on map– Point & Polygon tools to record

damage data– Quick EF Kit access

Laptop ApplicationModes of Operation

• Laptop + GPS ON– Position identified on the map by the GPS– Map snaps to the GPS position– Points and polygons are drawn on the map and do

not reflect the GPS position• Laptop + GPS OFF or no GPS attached– Position can be estimated from road network and

landmarks– Points and polygons are drawn on the map

Mobile Application:Key Features

• Upload point data and pictures from field• Locally stores data when outside data

coverage• Tablet versions– Basic mapping of points both from database and

ongoing survey– Basic offline maps available for each WFO– EF Kit Reference Images built into interface

Web Editor

• Quality Control and Data Editing• Data Input– Points/Polygons/Paths– Geotagged photos

• Data Extraction• Basic Analysis• Future – PNS Generation

Outside Users

• Local/State/Federal Emergency Management• Insurance Industry• Media• Public• Scientific Community

Capabilities• Add/Delete/Edit

– Points– Paths– Polygons

• Export– Shapefile– KML– Screenshot

• Import– Geo-tagged photos– Geo-locate photos with GPS track

• Quality Control

Damage Collection ComparisonShreveport CWA

October 29, 2009 22 TornadosApril 27, 2011 27 Tornados

People Hours0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

4

32

2

14non DAT 2009DAT 2011

Damage Assessment Toolkit

Jason DeeseLead ForecasterNWS Peachtree City