Title:
Integrating Hyperspectral Data and GIS data for modeling vulnerability from
natural disasters: A Case Study from Australia

Abstract:
Natural disasters such as Hail Storms can devastate a region within
few hours and can cost billions of dollars in damage. Rapid decisions
have to be made with limited resources. A geospatial model can be
very useful during emergencies for providing a better understanding
of infrastructure and demographic characteristics in disaster
impacted regions. The project aims to combine airborne hyperspectral
data analysis and spatial analysis of surface data for developing a
geospatial disaster assessment model in Sydney, Australia.
Methodology included spectral analysis of roof materials and
integration with census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(ABS). Results included a roof distribution and vulnerability map
that may be used by emergency services for determining resource
allocation, visualization and what if scenario simulations. This
integrated database product, which merges high quality spectral
information and cartographic GIS data, has vast potential to assist
emergency organizations, city planners and decision makers in
formulating plans and strategies for resource management.