Verizon and NOAA Team Up for Advanced Storm Damage Assessment

Verizon and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are joining forces to improve storm damage assessment using drones. This collaboration aims to enhance emergency response and mitigation strategies during these critical weather events.

Over the next three years, Verizon Frontline, Verizon's drone division specializing in infrastructure surveillance, will team up with NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) personnel.  Utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones, they will rapidly collect high-resolution imagery of areas impacted by severe storms and tornadoes.

This project will significantly increase NOAA's ability to gather data after major storms. This will allow them to: Enhance damage assessment: Get a clearer picture of the destruction, allowing for faster and more efficient response efforts.

Gain insights into storm behavior: By studying the data, researchers can improve future storm warnings and develop better mitigation techniques.

"This partnership has the potential to revolutionize how the NWS gathers crucial information during disasters," said Tim Oram, a chief at the NWS Southern Region Headquarters.

The initial phase of this collaboration will focus on the Southern Region of the NWS, which covers a large swathe of the US,  including areas bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This region is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes due to its warm waters.

Benefits for Millions

This project has the potential to benefit over 77 million residents across the Southern US,  including states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida,  as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

"Verizon is proud to partner with NOAA in pioneering new methods for gathering and sharing vital data," said Michael Adams, a Verizon executive. "This will significantly improve our ability to respond to severe storms and protect communities across the nation."

Faster and Safer Data Collection 

Traditionally, assessing storm damage  involved sending personnel into potentially dangerous situations. Drones provide a safer and more efficient way to gather information.  They can quickly cover large areas and capture high-resolution images that would be difficult or impossible to obtain from the ground. "Our goal is to get high-resolution imagery into the hands of emergency response agencies as quickly as possible," said Chris Sanders of Verizon Frontline. "By using Verizon's robust network and rapid-mapping capabilities, we can significantly improve the response to these devastating events." This innovative partnership between Verizon and NOAA has the potential to save lives and property by providing critical data in the aftermath of severe storms.

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