Deep Horizon Oil Spill Participation project.

animated file: http://students.uwf.edu/mpj2/oilparticipation.avi


GIS is used in disaster response to provide accurate data to disaster relief workers and victims. This is done in a wide variety of ways: Extent and nature of destruction patterns, damage locations, density and assessments, infrastructure closures. All this data allows for people to get into and out of a disaster area safer and make better decisions to improve the efficiency of the response. Maps can provide a clear way to bring in equipment and aid, as well as, the areas most in need. As the response time moves from the initial rescue stage into recovery and rebuilding, GIS provides insurers and government aid agencies with ‘hotspots’ of damage so that applications for aid from those locations can be pushed through with priority. As clean up continues damage extents can be used to calculate clean up and rebuilding cost and provide for initial projections on the overall investment required to get the effected area recovered.

GIS is being used currently in these same ways to provide data for those at work on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Maps projecting the extent (both current and projected) of the oil spread, effects from both current and weather patterns, sensitive shoreline, fisheries and other wildlife at risk, staging areas, ports, command post and aid activity. This data allows whoever is currently in charge the ability to send the fish and wildlife people where the greatest numbers of animals are at risk. It also allows for beach and fishery closures to be made based on where the oil spread has drifted. As the spill is abated and the full clean up effort is begun GIS will be used to estimate damage and clean up cost. GIS is a useful decision making tool that can provide a more efficient means of response to disaster relief.