|
SpatialNews.com Press Release
Mississippi’s Geospatial Cluster Responds to Hurricane Katrina
 Printer Friendly
Oxford, MS -- The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) announces the release of a special publication that highlights how geospatial technology is being used in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.
Featuring articles, images and information demonstrating how Mississippi’s geospatial cluster is playing such a distinct role in recovery and rebuilding efforts, the publication illustrates how EIGS members and partners hit the ground running responding with the manpower, expertise and resources necessary to begin addressing critical problems and providing immediate assistance to emergency responders.
The special edition publication can be accessed on line at www.eigs.olemiss.edu.
Mississippi’s geospatial cluster includes universities, private businesses, state government, research organizations, workforce development programs, and economic development agencies.
Following are excerpts from the publication:
Despite having to evacuate its own offices in New Orleans and Slidell, LA, Theodore, AL, and Stennis Space Center, MS, 3001, Inc. launched its 3001 LandAir aircraft out of Peachtree, GA to fly damage assessment areas related to Hurricane Katrina. The area flown was approximately 11,800 square miles.
WorldWinds, Inc. provided technical support and computer resources to NASA, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, and the URS Corporation to model hurricane storm surge flooding in southeastern Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. WorldWinds’ detailed computer model of Hurricane Katrina's storm surge shows a 25-30 foot wall of water, pushed by 140-mph winds, slamming into the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Forest One, Inc. forged a partnership with Galileo Group, Inc. to provide immediate assistance to government agencies and private companies attempting to recover from Hurricane Katrina by offering rapid response mapping, remote sensing and GIS services.
NVision Solutions, Inc. is supporting the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center located at the Stennis airport creating maps for emergency personnel. Through the end of September, over 500 unique products have been created with over 18,600 maps printed.
Starting on the Saturday before the storm made landfall, Mississippi’s universities provided GIS support at the Jackson Emergency Operations Center and worked with GIS Corps, GITA, ESRI, private businesses and some state agencies to provide equipment and personnel in support of the state and federal agencies responsible for responding to the disaster.
“It is important that we let the state, nation and world know how Mississippi’s geospatial community not only persevered through this disaster, but are playing a key role in the rebuilding of the devastated region,” said Dr. Robin Buchannon, Executive Director of EIGS.
In addition to the publication, EIGS has established a Hurricane Katrina website to serve as a “staging area” for resources and information about recovery efforts. Visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu to find out more.
###
The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) is focused on supporting geospatial technology research and business development with the primary mission of growing the research-based, world-class geospatial technology industry in Mississippi. EIGS is a cluster of 6 university research programs, 36 private companies, 4 state agencies, and 7 complementary partner programs working together to research, develop, and market new geospatial technology products from Mississippi. EIGS provides its industry cluster members with access to business and marketing support. In addition, EIGS facilitates complementary geospatial & remote sensing research activities. For more information about EIGS, visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu.
|
