Using its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation to track the recent severe flooding in southeastern Spain, ICEYE estimates that over 2,600 buildings have been affected.
For those unaware, flash floods in Spain have killed over 200 people, triggered by a destructive weather system where cold and warm air meet to produce intense rain clouds. The phenomenon is known locally as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression.
According to ICEYE, the administrative areas where flooding was observed include Castile-La Mancha, the Region of Murcia, Andalusia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, and Aragon.
Some areas reportedly experienced over 441 cm of flooding, with ICEYE estimating that in total over 534 square kilometres were impacted.
Over the weekend of November 2-3, ICEYE also signed an agreement with Generalitat Valenciana, which will begin using images taken by ICEYE’s SAR satellite constellation to assess areas affected by the DANA in the Valencian Community.
La Conselleria de Innovación, Industria, Comercio y Turismo (The Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade, and Tourism) will reportedly have access to ICEYE’s technological resources to analyse the state of industrial areas after the storm.
Jeffrey Apeldoorn, Head of Government Solutions Europe at ICEYE, commented, “Following the tragic flooding that has affected Spain, ICEYE has committed to closely collaborating with Spanish authorities, particularly the Valencian Government, for the rapid detection and quantification of impacts.
“We have worked specifically with the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce, and Tourism to obtain ‘rapid, complete, and precise’ information about the status of each business park. This information is crucial for assessing damage to facilities and planning reconstruction efforts. Our emergency response, including assistance to those affected, is our primary objective.
“Additionally, our collaboration with ESRI Spain, especially through the Disaster Response Program, has allowed us to share vital data on the extent and depth of water with all program members.
“This initiative extends beyond Spain, involving nonprofit organizations like Samaritan’s Purse in the U.S., which has deployed teams on the ground and utilized information provided by ICEYE every 24 hours, to accelerate and enhance their response efforts.”
ICEYE concluded, “Our team of flood experts continues to monitor the situation and analyze ICEYE’s satellite data to provide near real-time flood extent and depth information to emergency management organizations, public authorities, and insurance companies in the region.”
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