Remote GeoSystems, Inc., an Esri Emerging Business Partner, has released two new Esri-based Geospatial Full Motion Video (FMV) Inspection & Reporting Solutions: LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In.
LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In are open and versatile geospatial video analysis and inspection data reporting tools for the Esri platform. Both LineVision Esri versions will accept properly formatted video from a variety of consumer GPS video cameras, UAV/UAS platforms, gyro-stabilized camera systems and specialized geospatial DVRs; including the Remote GeoSystems geoDVR.
LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In enables users to geospatially “navigate” a video recording by simply clicking a location along a GPS track positioned over an Esri-based map. As the video plays, a cursor moves along the GPS track, constantly indicating where the current video view was captured. If something of interest is detected in the video, users may pause and capture a geo-tagged still photo from the video.
The software can play up to four geospatially-synchronized videos at once, enhancing the capabilities of modern airborne multi-sensor HD/IR/UV gimbal cameras and terrestrial mobile mapping systems.
In addition to geo-tagged video, LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-in also support geospatial positioning of still photos, audio, annotations and any other digital documents. Along with the video, all these media files can be saved as a .geoProject™ file for the ultimate in data portability and simple delivery to clients.
LineVision Esri ArcGIS. LineVision Esri ArcGIS is a “stand-alone” desktop software that leverages the Esri ArcGIS platform to map, analyze and package geospatial full motion video (FMV), photos, annotations, documents, SHP files and raster imagery. It is designed for rapid adoption and ease-of-use so now anyone without GIS experience can easily view this valuable asset location-based multimedia using enterprise maps and imagery provided by ArcGIS for Server, ArcGIS for Desktop or ArcGIS Online. Users do not need to have other Esri software installed.
LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-in. LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In offers all the same capabilities as LineVision Esri ArcGIS but as a “traditional ArcMap Add-In,” leveraging Esri’s powerful desktop GIS environment. Users will need to have Esri ArcMap software installed.
“Esri customers have been asking for a solution that simplifies post-mission geospatial video analysis and project reporting while leveraging the enterprise GIS capabilities and data available from ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS for Server and ArcGIS for Desktop. We’re excited to see that utilizing the resources available from Esri’s Startup Program, Remote Geo was able to quickly migrate their LineVision software to the ArcGIS platform,” said Kurt Daradics, EsriEmerging Business Group Manager.
“LineVision Esri ArcGIS and ArcMap Add-In are the first of many solutions to align our geoDVR, LineVision and geoProject capabilities with Esri’s technology stack,” said Jeff Dahlke, Remote GeoSystems Managing Director. “Geospatially-intelligent video is now being recognized as a corporate asset that reduces real risks and costs. Offering solutions that leverage Esri is critical as we roll out our enterprise geospatial video management offerings.”
Key features include:
Multi-channel Geo-referenced HD Video Playback
Snap Geo-tagged Still Photos from Video
Use Waypoint Navigator to Quickly Jump to POIs Identified In-mission
Mark Locations with Annotations and Attach Any Document or File
Add Local Shapefiles & Raster Data
Connect to ArcGIS Online & ArcGIS for Server
Add & Edit Documents and Files Right on the Map
Create Portable .geoProject File Packages
Pro & Viewer Editions Available
Both LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In are available in Pro (Professional) and Viewer editions. The primary difference between the two versions is Pro will allow you to create and save information-rich, immersive geoProject reports with all related files, whereas Viewer is primarily designed for viewing and interacting with previously-saved geoProjects.
Progressive Technology Federal Systems Inc. (PTFS), a provider of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions, has upgraded and rebranded ArchivalWare, its flagship product line, as Knowvation. PTFS will demonstrate the enhanced Knowvation ECM offering and the roles it can play in Activity-Based Intelligence at GEOINT 2015, which will be held June 22-25 in Washington, D.C.
“In response to client feedback, we have improved the Knowvation graphical user interface making it faster and easier to query and retrieve content from vast enterprise repositories,” said Dan Quinn, PTFS vice president. “Knowvation will continue to appeal to government agencies, commercial organizations and libraries.”
PTFS will demonstrate the new Knowvation ECM solution in booth #2083 at the GEOINT 2015 Symposium.
Knowvation ECM is a web-based federated search and discovery application that manages structured and unstructured content, including born-digital and digitized files, in many databases at multiple locations across the enterprise. Fully modular, Knowvation enables users to interrogate and retrieve content by searching on metadata, full text, or geospatial parameters. Searchable content includes documents, books, newspapers, video, audio, photographs and raster/vector geospatial files in all formats.
“Combining full-text and geospatial queries sets Knowvation apart from many other Enterprise Content Management systems,” said Quinn. “The geospatial search and discovery capability has made Knowvation a trusted all source tool relied upon by government agencies with large GIS and satellite imagery archives, especially in the Intelligence Community.”
Knowvation users can perform geospatial searches on data archives containing over 200 different types of file formats. Format-agnostic geospatial queries can be initiated by typing a geographic name, entering latitude/longitude coordinates or drawing a polygon on a map interface. Once the analyst has retrieved required data their ELT of choice is launched with one click to perform analysis and build timely actionable intelligence.
PTFS offers the option of deploying Knowvation as the client’s repository of record in which all content is ingested, stored, managed and searched. Or the client may keep its content in other applications and shared drives with the ECM solution deployed externally to index the information for easy search and retrieval. The Knowvation server can be located behind the client firewall or hosted by PTFS offsite or in the Amazon cloud in a Software-as-a-Service business model.
Introduced 11 years ago as ArchivalWare, Knowvation is deployed in government agencies, libraries, academic institutions, and labor unions. The largest installations are within the U.S. federal government at DoD sites.
PTFS President John Yokley and Global Marketing Insights President Dr. Shawana Johnson will participate in a video at GEOINT 2015 discussing emerging technologies in the Federal/Civilian space and Knowvation’s move into the Amazon Marketplace.
Concurrent with GEOINT, Dan Quinn will speak on GeoPDF technology at 11 am on Thursday, June 25, at the U.S. government’s 9th Geospatial PDF Working Group meeting at the Washington Convention Center.
Flightline Geographics is a GIS company that has been involved in professional UAS since 2012 and provides base mapping and 3D terrain modeling through the use of UAS for energy corridors and other areas of interest.
“GIS is a technology that depends upon up-to-date content, and UAS is now a cost-effective way to provide aerial visual intelligence for GIS in the form of stunning 3D imagery. All delivered in days, not months,” said Flightline Geographics’ founder and CEO Devon Humphrey.
Tablerock provides survey, right-of-way and project management/inspection services.
“One of the challenges we have faced has been obtaining current aerial imagery and topographic information that meets industry needs for project design and GIS within the United States,” said Andrew Darlington, president of Tablerock Land Survey. “On most projects, our clients are limited to whatever current satellite imagery is available on the Internet, but it is often dated and of low quality. Content from FlightlineGeo changes all that.”
Flightline Geographics is an Esri Partner Network Company based in the Austin, Texas, area and Tablerock Land Survey is based in Denver.
Avenza Systems Inc., a developer of cartographic software — including MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop — has released PDF Maps app 2.5 for iOS devices with enhanced features.
Avenza’s PDF Maps app and mobile solution is used for both personal and commercial purposes and incorporates more detailed functions commonly needed when tracking, plotting points, navigating and collecting data in areas where Internet service is unavailable. To date, Avenza’s PDF Maps app has grown its commercial side to more than 30,000 regular users.
Paired with mobile devices that use GPS, such as a smartphone or tablet, the PDF Maps app provides constant access to geographic locations without the risk of losing reception due to cell-tower proximity. Over the years, the app initially attracted the attention of recreational users such as hikers who traveled through rugged areas.
Today, PDF Maps app has developed a growing list of commercial users globally, including the military, wild fire units, search and rescue teams, and conservation groups that use the app to record data, document with images and share detailed navigation points with others quickly and easily. Based on the various types of environments the app is being applied in, Avenza has further developed its latest features based on the feedback and specifications of its users. These include:
Enhanced navigation: ability to establish both GPS position and compass.
Measurement: tools to calculate distances, size and areas.
Map use: capable of overlaying search engine results on any map for offline use.
Map Collections: convenient map searching tools including the ability to pan and zoom between maps.
Personalization: ability to load a user’s own geospatial PDF, GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPG and TIFF maps and imagery from a file system, Dropbox, URL or email.
“Avenza’s PDF Maps app has always been popular with the recreational groups who often use the free app for use while in the air, on land or sea excursions. The mapping resource has helped many novice and expert outdoor enthusiasts navigate through areas where most digital maps fail in the details,” said Ted Florence, president, Avenza Systems Inc. “Recently, the popularity experienced on the recreational side is now being felt on the commercial end as many organizations that work in remote areas, and require use of their own custom maps and drawings on smartphones or tablets, need the ability to locate themselves and make notations and share information on detailed maps quickly. Avenza is excited to see the growth of PDF Maps, not just as a product, but as a valuable tool that is aiding commercial users such as conservation teams and similar groups. We hope the latest features of PDF Maps app 2.5 helps make a difference in their work.”
Currently, Avenza’s vast PDF Maps app library covering maps for domestic and international destinations includes more than 100,000 maps organized by country, state and area. All maps available through the in-app iTunes-like map store offer the following capabilities:
Access and load maps through in-app purchase, iTunes File Sharing, Wi-Fi or cellular network to read maps anytime.
Access and interact with saved maps without the need for a live network connection (offline).
View your location on the PDF map using the built-in GPS device or via Wi-Fi triangulation.
Find coordinate of any location in the map, including the ability to type in a coordinate to search.
Display coordinates as Lat/Long (WGS84), Lat/Long (Map Default), Northing/Easting, or Military Grid Reference System (MGRS/United States National Grid (USNG).
Support for GeoTIFF files to create tiles similar to how a geospatial PDF is tiled.
Map rendering in higher resolution.
Overlay Google search results.
Add waypoints and collect/record information about locations, including photos.
Measure distances and areas.
Open current map extents in the Maps app.
Quickly view, zoom and pan maps using gestures (pinch, drag and flick, double tap).
Change pin colors, position and label names.
PDF Maps app 2.5 is available now on the iTunes App Store free of charge for personal and private use. PDF Maps app is also available for use with Android devices in the Google Play Store free of charge for personal non-commercial use. A Windows version is currently in public beta targeted for a release later this year. Commercial, government and academic use licensing is available for a nominal annual fee.
For more information about PDF Maps, visit the Avenza website or the PDF Maps website. Pricing of each map is set by the publisher and free maps remain free to users through the PDF Maps app in-app store.
Trimble displayed the Multirotor G4 Surveying Robot at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems Show in May.
Trimble is partnering with unmanned aircraft system (UAS) manufacturer Multirotor service-drone, GmbH. The collaboration will allow Trimble to expand its existing UAS portfolio to provide its customers with additional solutions to choose from based on their aerial imaging project needs.
Multirotor service-drone, based in Germany, is a manufacturer of multirotor systems. Trimble will be Multirotor service-drone’s exclusive provider of multirotor vehicles for aerial mapping use in surveying, construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, and utilities. The combination of Multirotor service-drone’s stable and reliable platforms with Trimble’s industry-leading sensor technology and workflow efficiencies will provide customers with best-in-class solutions for aerial data capture.
Unmanned multirotor systems are powerful solutions for visually documenting smaller areas, vertical structures or environments where holding position is important. High-resolution imagery, orthophotos, terrain models and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) map deliverables created from multirotor data provide valuable information for the survey, engineering and agriculture industries that Trimble serves, the company said.
“We are very excited to partner with Multirotor service-drone. At Trimble we’re always looking for ways to meet our customer’s needs and enable them to solve the complex problems they encounter every day,” said Todd Steiner, product marketing director in Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “The collaboration will enable our customers to use a technology rapidly growing in popularity due to its flexibility and productivity.”
Founded in March 2011, Multirotor service-drone quickly became a market leader in the area of professional unmanned aerial systems. In 2013, service-drone acquired competitor Multirotor and together developed the award-winning fourth-generation flight control system used in its service-drone products today. Multirotor service-drone offers a broad range of commercially used UAS within the 8 to 50 pound (4 to 25 KG) weight class. Designed and manufactured in Germany, Multirotor service-drone products are built to deliver safety, quality and consistency for professional applications, according to the company.
The Capturing Reality Forum has issued a call or papers. The event will incorporate the best of SPAR Europe and European LiDAR Mapping Forum (ELMF). Taking place at the Salzburg Congress, Austria, November 23-25, the Capturing Reality Forum will focus on the technologies of laser scanning, LiDAR, 3D data capture and modeling to provide an inspiring platform for professionals to meet, learn and share ideas with industry’s best.
Industry leaders are invited to submit technical papers to be considered for presentation. Abstracts can be submitted online until August 11. “We welcome international papers which will address recent project examples and the key commercial and technical issues but most importantly those that highlight pioneering research and developments that will impact the future development of the industry. Each abstract will be peer reviewed and we will announce the final program in September,” said Conference Chairman Alastair MacDonald (director of TMS International).
Headed up by the Diversified UK team, the forum will include a conference featuring leaders from all sectors of the industry, with an international exhibition of the latest technologies running in parallel. The event management team headed by Versha Carter, group director, has previously managed the ELMF and ILMF events and successfully launched the GEO Business show. “We are excited to be involved with the rebranding of these two very established events, which has been received as a very positive next step for the industry,” Carter said. “SPAR Europe and ELMF co-located two years ago, but continued to have separate conference programs. By merging into one, the synergy between the two events and the shared interests, challenges and opportunities will be fully realized.”
“If you are interested in data capture and imaging on the inside or outside of facilities, the tracking of utilities and monitoring of transport, or modeling external effects on the national coastline or landmass, the Capturing Reality Forum has all the ingredients of a must-attend event,” MacDonald said. “Delegates will be in the company of colleagues from all sectors of the geospatial data capture, visualization and imaging industry. And this will all be happening over three days in the wonderful atmosphere of Salzburg.”
Papers could include reports on subjects such as: Building Information Modeling (BIM); 3D for asset and facilities management; 3D data capture for as-built conditions; point cloud processing; managing and sharing large data sets; 3D/intelligent modeling; augmented reality and visualization tools; airborne, terrestrial and bathymetric LiDAR; coastal zone, defense and flood plain LiDAR; corridor and utilities mapping; data classification, GIS, data modeling/management; mobile mapping; technology development and trends; and small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS).
Running alongside the Capturing Reality forum conference will be an exhibition of more than 50 stands displaying manufacturers, software developers and service providers of 3D imaging, laser scanning and LiDAR products. As an extra benefit to delegates, many of the exhibiting companies will host workshops, providing an opportunity for more in-depth discussion.
Centrally located in mainland Europe, Salzburg is easily accessible from northern, southern, eastern and western European countries. Salzburg Congress is situated in the center of the city and provides a special dimension socially with its seasonal events and Christmas markets.
“This is an outstanding venue, which has always earned a flood of positive feedback,” Carter said. “The move to Salzburg has been welcomed by the industry and we look forward to hosting the Capturing Reality Forum in the heart of such a beautiful historic city.”
GEOINT 2015 attendees have the opportunity to sign up for the GEOINT Foreword pre-conference session, earn Continuing Education Units in 80+ hours of training, be among the first to take Universal GEOINT Certification exams, and much more. The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) has once again expanded its dedicated professional development offerings at the GEOINT 2015 Symposium, to be held June 22-25 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
GEOINT Foreword
GEOINT 2015 kicks off with GEOINT Foreword, a pre-symposium science and technology-focused day designed to highlight advances in GEOINT tradecraft and innovation. In addition to a keynote speaker, lightning talks, and networking breaks, GEOINT Foreword will host 14 panel sessions on topics such as: utilizing commercial space and SmallSat assets; data science acquisition models; modeling and simulation; open-source apps; interoperability; and more. GEOINT Foreword requires separate registration.
Training & Education
The GEOINT 2015 agenda offers more than 80 hours of training and education sessions, which have more than doubled since last year’s Symposium. Two-hour training and education sessions will be conducted in both the morning and afternoon June 23-25. Session topics include crisis mapping, full-motion video, LiDAR, game engines, spatial literacy, GEOINT 101, commercial electro-optical imagery, point cloud technology, cognitive computing, and more. To participate in training, attendees must add desired sessions to their GEOINT 2015 registration. Training and education sessions are accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training. Attendees will receive 0.2 Continuing Education Units per session courtesy of USGIF Member Riverside Research.
Universal GEOINT Certification
This fall, USGIF will launch its Universal GEOINT Certification.Each of the three exams required to achieve the certification will require beta testers. Pilot versions of the GIS and remote sensing exams will be administered at GEOINT 2015. Qualified symposium attendees will have the opportunity to take one or both exams for free to count toward their Universal GEOINT Certification. Attendees can add pilot exams to their GEOINT 2015 registration or email [email protected] to learn more.
Family Day
The GEOINT Symposium will for the first time feature a family day June 25 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring their families to explore the exhibit hall and participate in fun, interactive activities. USGIF’s Young Professionals Group will host a ScavenGeo Dash in the exhibit hall from 1-3 p.m. The dash is an educational scavenger hunt offering families a unique opportunity to learn about the GEOINT Community through an exciting competition. To sign up for the ScavenGeo Dash, email [email protected] and include the names and ages of your team members. Teams should not exceed six members.
To learn more about these educational offerings, view the full symposium agenda, or to register for GEOINT 2015, visit geoint2015.com.
Screenshot of a mobile mapping service integrating USGS topographic data; hiking and biking trails south of Golden, Colo. Imagery with road and contour data overlaid via AlpineQuest.
Are you a developer, firm, or organization using mobile or web applications to enable your users? The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has publicly available geospatial services and data to help your application development and enhancement.
The USGS’ National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC) will be hosting a 30-minute webinar on “Using The National Map services to enable your web and mobile mapping efforts” on June 16 at 9 a.m. MT.
Screenshot of a mobile mapping service integrating USGS topographic data; hiking and biking trails south of Golden, Colo. Trail data in KML/GPX overlaid via AlpineQuest.
This webinar will feature a brief overview of services, data and products that are publicly available, a quick overview on how AlpineQuest, a leading private firm, is leveraging this public data to benefit their users, and a Question & Answer session with a USGS developer to help you get the most out of the national geospatial services.
“This is an opportunity from NGTOC to bring developers and users together for some demonstrations and starting some dialogue,” said Brian Fox, the NGTOC Systems Development Branch Chief. “The webinar format allows us to improve awareness of USGS geospatial services and develop a better understanding of what users and developers need to make our data and services more available and usable.”
To access the webinar, you’ll need to activate Cisco WebEx and call into the conference number (toll free) 855-547-8255 and use the security code: 98212385. The webinar will display through WebEx.
Use this system diagnosis to ensure that you have the appropriate players installed for this WebEx enabled webinar.
The session will be recorded and closed caption option is available.
Click here to find out more about this and other NGOC webinar conferences.
Screenshot of a mobile mapping service integrating USGS topographic data; hiking and biking trails south of Golden, Colo. Imagery with road and contour data overlaid via AlpineQuest.
Are you a developer, firm, or organization using mobile or web applications to enable your users? The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has publicly available geospatial services and data to help your application development and enhancement.
The USGS’ National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC) will be hosting a 30-minute webinar on “Using The National Map services to enable your web and mobile mapping efforts” on June 16 at 9 a.m. MT.
Screenshot of a mobile mapping service integrating USGS topographic data; hiking and biking trails south of Golden, Colo. Trail data in KML/GPX overlaid via AlpineQuest.
This webinar will feature a brief overview of services, data and products that are publicly available, a quick overview on how AlpineQuest, a leading private firm, is leveraging this public data to benefit their users, and a Question & Answer session with a USGS developer to help you get the most out of the national geospatial services.
“This is an opportunity from NGTOC to bring developers and users together for some demonstrations and starting some dialogue,” said Brian Fox, the NGTOC Systems Development Branch Chief. “The webinar format allows us to improve awareness of USGS geospatial services and develop a better understanding of what users and developers need to make our data and services more available and usable.”
To access the webinar, you’ll need to activate Cisco WebEx and call into the conference number (toll free) 855-547-8255 and use the security code: 98212385. The webinar will display through WebEx.
Use this system diagnosis to ensure that you have the appropriate players installed for this WebEx enabled webinar.
The session will be recorded and closed caption option is available.
Click here to find out more about this and other NGOC webinar conferences.
Esri President Jack Dangermond is asking for geospatial professionals to provide illustrations for his opening presentation at the 2015 Esri User Conference in July.
“Each year, the Plenary Session provides an inspiring overview of the state of geospatial technology today, and one of the best ways to illustrate that is by sharing examples of your work,” Dangermond writes in an email. “I invite you to submit up to three images for us to consider including in the presentation.”
Dangermond said he is interested in:
Maps that helped make a decision
Maps that helped with collaboration
Maps that helped communicate
High-quality cartographic displays
3D visualizations
Built environment
Nature landscapes
Cartography (statistics)
Maps that illustrate spatial analysis, modeling, and science
Web maps
Image submissions must be received by Friday, June 12, via Esri’s online portal.
LizardTech, a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content, has expanded its global presence with several new business partnerships and product purchases during the first half of 2015.
During the last six months, national governments, energy organizations and infrastructure owners and operators have all bought LizardTech software in countries such as Canada, Sweden, Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman, Australia and the Philippines.
“We are delighted with the progress we have made in promoting LizardTech’s remarkable MrSID-based software throughout the European, African and Middle Eastern market places and beyond into Asia Pacific,” said Quarry One Eleven Founder Alistair Maclenan. “LizardTech is a great client that understands the power of marketing and in-region representation. Their support has been a huge factor in the partnership and sales successes we have seen for their image compression, preparation and distribution products.”
“We have had an exciting first half of the year which illustrates that our products are in demand all over the world,” said Jeff Young, who directs Global Business Development at LizardTech. “These sales validate the sustainability of LizardTech over the last 23 years through partnerships in multiple continents. We take pride in our customer’s loyalty and continued commitment to our MrSID image compression format.”
Hurricane Fran at peak intensity on Sept.4, 1996. (Image: NOAA)
More than 6.6 million homes on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at risk of hurricane storm surge inundation with a total reconstruction cost of nearly $1.5 trillion, according to a new storm surge analysis released today by CoreLogic.
The CoreLogic analysis examines risk from hurricane-driven storm surge for homes along the Atlantic and Gulf coastlines of 19 states and the District of Columbia, as well as for 84 metro areas. Homes are categorized among five risk levels, including Low, Moderate, High, Very High and Extreme.
In addition to the number of homes at risk, the analysis provides reconstruction cost values (RCVs), which indicate how much is required to rebuild the property, including labor and materials, and assuming worst-case scenario at 100-percent destruction (see Table 1).
Table 1: Residential Exposure by Storm Category for the Entire U.S.
Storm Surge Risk Level (Storm Category)
Total Homes Potentially Affected
Total Estimated RCV(U.S. dollars)
Extreme (Affected by a Category 1-5 storm)
1,651,978
$393,494,752,074
Very High (Category 2-5)
1,438,526
$324,225,419,007
High (Category 3-5)
1,654,925
$371,135,087,394
Moderate (Category 4-5)
1,178,196
$267,395,972,220
Low (Category 5)
685,391
$132,090,242,053
Total
6,609,016
$1,488,341,472,748
At the regional level, the Atlantic Coast has more than 3.8 million homes at risk of storm surge in 2015 with an RCV of $939 billion, and the Gulf Coast has just under 2.8 million homes at risk and nearly $549 billion in potential exposure to total destruction damage (Table 2).
Table 2: Residential Exposure by Coastal Region
Region
Atlantic Coast Homes
Atlantic Coast RCV (U.S. Dollars)
Gulf Coast Homes
Gulf Coast RCV (U.S. Dollars)
Extreme
1,018,371
$264,963,399,509
633,607
$128,531,352,565
Very High
911,091
$223,821,396,433
527,435
$100,404,022,574
High
860,657
$212,741,476,684
794,268
$158,393,610,710
Moderate
686,061
$172,277,118,076
492,135
$95,118,854,144
Low
332,984
$65,334,507,800
352,407
$66,755,734,253
Total
3,809,164
$939,137,898,502
2,799,852
$549,203,574,246
“The number of hurricanes each year is less important than the location of where the next hurricane will come ashore,” said Tom Jeffery, senior hazard risk scientist for CoreLogic. “It only takes one hurricane that pushes storm surge into a major metropolitan area for the damage to tally in the billions of dollars. With new home construction, and any amount of sea-level rise, the number of homes at risk of storm surge damage will continue to increase.”
Table 3 shows that six states account for more than three-quarters of all at-risk homes nationally. Florida has the highest total number of properties at various risk levels (2,509,812), followed by Louisiana (760,272), New York (464,534), New Jersey (446,148), Texas (441,304) and Virginia (420,052). Even though Louisiana has the second most homes at risk of storm surge, only one-quarter of these homes are in the extreme or very high storm surge category due, in large part, to the upgrade and expansion of levees in Louisiana.
Table 3: State Table (Ranked by Number of Homes at Risk)
Rank
State
Extreme
Very High
High
Moderate
Low*
Total
1
Florida
793,204
461,632
524,923
352,102
377,951
2,509,812
2
Louisiana
97,760
104,059
337,495
138,762
82,196
760,272
3
New York
127,325
114,876
131,039
91,294
N/A
464,534
4
New Jersey
116,581
178,668
73,303
77,596
N/A
446,148
5
Texas
45,800
70,894
112,189
116,168
96,253
441,304
6
Virginia
94,260
115,770
98,463
84,015
27,544
420,052
7
South Carolina
107,443
57,327
65,885
46,799
30,961
308,415
8
North Carolina
73,463
51,927
48,595
40,155
37,347
251,487
9
Massachusetts
31,420
65,279
74,413
49,325
N/A
220,437
10
Maryland
47,990
39,966
27,591
28,975
N/A
144,522
11
Georgia
41,970
52,281
28,852
19,190
8,465
150,758
12
Pennsylvania
1,467
45,776
37,983
32,426
N/A
117,652
13
Mississippi
14,809
20,643
29,387
27,507
10,588
102,934
14
Connecticut
25,292
23,656
22,230
26,529
N/A
97,707
15
Alabama
7,403
12,707
10,182
13,749
14,086
58,127
16
Delaware
11,523
10,854
13,528
13,811
N/A
49,716
17
Rhode Island
6,595
5,988
6,720
7,187
N/A
26,490
18
Maine
5,159
2,753
7,368
7,211
N/A
22,491
19
New Hampshire
2,514
3,470
4,234
2,272
N/A
12,490
20
District of Columbia
N/A**
N/A**
545
3,123
N/A
3,668
Total
1,651,978
1,438,526
1,654,925
1,178,196
685,391
6,609,016
* The “Low” risk category is based on Category 5 hurricanes, which are not likely along the northeastern Atlantic coast. States in that area have N/A designated for the Low category due to the extremely low probability of a Category 5 storm affecting that area.
** Washington, D.C. has no Atlantic coastal properties, but can be affected by larger hurricanes that push storm surge into the Potomac River. Category 1 and 2 storms will likely not generate sufficient storm surge to affect properties in Washington, D.C.
“The levee system in and around New Orleans is one of the most extensive in the world,” said Jeffery. “After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, upgrades were planned for the network of levees and pumping stations to reduce the potential devastation from future storms. Upgrades were completed in 2013, and CoreLogic analysis shows a significant number of homes are now protected from all but the higher category hurricanes as a result.”
At the local level, five Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) rank the highest in both number of homes at risk and total RCV. They include New York-Newark, NY-NJ-PA; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL; Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC; and New Orleans-Metairie, LA (Table 5).
Table 5: Storm Surge Risk for Top 5 Metro Areas
Rank
Metropolitan Area
Total Properties Potentially Affected By All Categories of Hurricane
Total RCV (U.S. Dollars)
1
New York, NY
685,152
$244,312,501,442
2
Miami, FL
564,913
$105,134,042,455
3
Tampa, FL
447,990
$78,191,384,320
4
Virginia Beach, VA-NC
395,341
$86,393,517,790
5
New Orleans, LA
380,120
$84,242,355,537
Additional findings in the CoreLogic storm surge analysis:
The five states with the highest RCV for homes at risk include: Florida ($491,119,183,016), New York ($177,398,620,779), Louisiana ($162,096,659,527) New Jersey ($126,829,146,685) and Virginia ($91,049,049,641).
The five states (including the District of Columbia) with the lowest RCV for homes at risk include: District of Columbia ($351,443,177), New Hampshire ($3,215,714,570) Maine ($5,807,400,656), Rhode Island ($7,476,741,658) and Alabama ($9,954,390,796).
The five states (including the District of Columbia) with the lowest total number of properties at risk include: the District of Columbia (3,668), New Hampshire (12,409), Maine (22,491), Rhode Island (26,490) and Delaware (49,716).
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC has the highest percentage of homes (87 percent) at risk of storm surge, but not designated in a FEMA flood zone. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD and Jacksonville, Fla. also top the list at 85 percent and 77 percent, respectively.
The CoreLogic storm surge analysis also complements Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zone information to provide a snapshot of potential damage exposure at the property level, as many properties located outside designated FEMA flood zones are still at risk for storm surge damage. Standard FEMA flood zones are designed to identify areas at risk for both freshwater flooding, as well as storm surge, based on the likelihood of either a 100-year or 500-year flood event. They do not differentiate risk based on storm severity, and as a result, do not accurately define the total extent of potential risk along coastal areas.
Homeowners who live outside the FEMA flood zones frequently do not carry flood insurance, given that there is no mandate to do so, and therefore may not be aware of the potential risk storm surge poses to their properties.
To illustrate varying degrees of flood risk exposure, the analysis compares homes that are not located within FEMA 100-year floodplains against the number of homes located in surge inundation zones, as well as those located in both surge and FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). This data can be found in the full report.
Table 4: Reconstruction Value of Properties at Risk by State (U.S. Dollars)
Rank
State
Extreme
Very High
High
Moderate
Low
Total
1
Florida
$166,127,920,621
$87,593,956,407
$100,948,271,678
$66,046,901,592
$70,402,132,718
$491,119,183,016
2
New York
$50,677,202,371
$43,738,512,048
$47,941,521,073
$35,041,385,287
N/A
$177,398,620,779
3
Louisiana
$19,219,426,239
$20,723,521,330
$73,585,253,144
$30,455,626,839
$18,112,831,975
$162,096,659,527
4
New Jersey
$32,539,401,471
$49,279,239,412
$21,290,996,129
$23,719,509,673
N/A
$126,829,146,685
5
Virginia
$21,749,493,964
$24,472,282,097
$20,790,731,449
$17,769,718,808
$6,266,823,323
$91,049,049,641
6
Texas
$7,378,747,508
$10,949,102,801
$19,458,405,318
$21,932,930,066
$18,483,135,047
$78,202,320,740
7
South Carolina
$27,968,086,462
$12,767,874,946
$13,882,875,874
$9,539,308,384
$6,213,580,227
$70,371,725,893
8
Massachusetts
$10,293,155,124
$17,512,619,612
$21,563,396,990
$15,311,723,734
N/A
$64,680,895,460
9
North Carolina
$13,933,404,480
$10,330,860,954
$9,906,870,506
$7,751,458,704
$7,201,904,492
$49,124,499,136
10
Maryland
$11,764,631,642
$9,641,288,327
$6,381,209,263
$6,920,924,916
N/A
$34,708,054,148
11
Connecticut
$9,162,361,469
$8,157,864,151
$7,292,127,632
$8,774,300,132
N/A
$33,386,653,384
12
Georgia
$11,052,557,614
$10,521,985,895
$5,291,887,200
$3,457,728,530
$1,389,552,868
$31,713,712,107
13
Mississippi
$2,828,758,155
$3,858,574,230
$5,351,501,617
$4,850,283,320
$1,766,898,284
$18,656,015,606
14
Pennsylvania
$314,850,616
$5,812,076,371
$6,283,697,262
$4,819,045,458
N/A
$17,229,669,707
15
Delaware
$3,604,927,907
$3,338,893,060
$4,202,564,034
$3,823,191,061
N/A
$14,969,576,062
16
Alabama
$1,266,591,391
$2,252,764,464
$1,761,389,904
$2,420,261,918
$2,253,383,119
$9,954,390,796
17
Rhode Island
$1,819,637,687
$1,759,354,804
$1,917,701,002
$1,980,048,165
N/A
$7,476,741,658
18
Maine
$1,247,207,669
$728,679,536
$1,966,851,214
$1,864,662,237
N/A
$5,807,400,656
19
New Hampshire
$546,389,684
$785,968,562
$1,255,120,636
$628,235,688
N/A
$3,215,714,570
20
District of Columbia
N/A
N/A
$62,715,469
$288,727,708
N/A
$351,443,177
Total
393,494,752,074
324,225,419,007
371,135,087,394
267,395,972,220
132,090,242,053
1,488,341,472,748
Additional CBSA data, market rankings, regional, state and local-level maps are available upon request.
Methodology
The 2015 CoreLogic storm surge analysis encompasses single-family residential structures including mobile homes, duplexes, manufactured homes and cabins, among other non-traditional home types. Year-over-year changes in the number of homes at risk and RCV can be the result of several variables, including new home construction, improved public records, enhanced modeling techniques, fluctuation in labor, equipment and material costs, and even potential rise in sea level.
As a result, direct year-over-year comparisons should be avoided. To estimate the value property exposure of the single-family residences CoreLogic utilized it’s proprietary Marshall & Swift/Boeckh reconstruction cost valuation methodology.
This methodology estimates the cost to rebuild the property in the event of a total loss and is not to be confused with property market values or new construction cost estimation. Reconstruction cost estimates more accurately reflect the actual cost of damage or destruction of residential buildings that would occur from hurricane-driven storm surge since they include the cost of materials, equipment and labor needed to rebuild, and also factor in geographical pricing differences.
Actual land values are not included in the estimates. The values are based on 100-percent or total destruction of the residential structure. Depending upon the amount of surge water from a given storm, there may be less than 100 percent damage to the residence, which would result in a lower realized reconstruction cost value.
Storm surge is triggered primarily by the high winds and low pressure associated with hurricanes, which cause water to amass inside a storm as it moves across the ocean before releasing as a powerful rush overland when the hurricane moves onshore. In addition to the property damage and potential lives lost to flooding, the speed and force associated with storm surge waves can significantly increase geographic and economic impact in hurricane disaster areas.
