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Cleaning and Mapping on the Mississippi

Assisting with the GISCorps in Mississippi in the aftermath of Katrina

"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less
time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority."
- E.B. White

The first week in September was unfortunately a busy one. I woke up Monday morning after Hurricane Katrina feeling relief. According to early reports on NPR the dreaded hurricane Katrina had somewhat spared the Gulf coast. As things played out on the news it, this was not really the case. Though I have no ties or first hand knowledge of the Gulf, the media is a good motivator. A month before, I had signed up with the newly formed GISCorps (GISCorps.org) to assist with GIS mapping and GPS in the event of some dire need. Regrettably, the Gulf coast experienced one of the worst natural disasters in US history and I had my chance. This voluntary organization is a spin-off of URISA (Urban Regional Information Systems Association) a professional GIS and urban management organization. (Geographic Information Systems). This organization was setup to provide short term GIS volunteers in areas under served. They had their first big test in assisting with the Asian Tsunami relief effort. In 2003 I had some experience in disaster relief having worked with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation with the UN in Liberia just after the end of the 15 year civil war. Working with USAID funding I assisted in the HIC (Humanitarian Information Center) providing GIS, GPS and training functions.

After every man-made and natural disaster we all have the urge to help out. Money is always key. For me money is an option but seemed too impersonal. Search / rescue, relief, logistics and damage assessments all have a geographic component and thus a good application of GIS. Naturally, working in flood mapping I contacted FEMA and SEMO to offer my assistance. The timing would be right as I had the next week off. A trip was planned backpacking to the beautiful ADKs but that would have to wait. No information was to be had either from FEMA or SEMO. So, I next contacted the GISCorps and they happened to be sending teams down the Mississippi to assist the Emergency Operations Center EOC. They had received a request on Tuesday from Talbot Brooks who was in charge of GIS in the relief efforts with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Organized chaos could partially describe the experience. Jackson had escaped much of the destruction and life appeared to be almost normal in the capitol city. The only issue were many downed trees and a shortage of gasoline. The Emergency Operations Center was a beehive of activity 24 hours a day. Trucks pulling in, helicopters flying out, people running around in a frenzy of activity. Hailey Barbour, the governor stopping by everyday to check on activities. Professionals from various State Mississippi agencies, federal and out of state combined with Miss State and Old Miss grad students and then us, the GISCorps.

 

 

 

 

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