NASA is using artificial intelligence (AI) and open science to improve how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. Through its Disasters Program, NASA has created advanced tools and data to help communities and emergency teams manage disasters like hurricanes.
One example of these tools was during Hurricane Ida, which hit Louisiana on August 21, 2021. The storm caused severe damage, but NASA supported the relief efforts by providing important satellite data.
NASA’s Disasters Mapping Portal shared information like:
- Soil moisture levels
- Rainfall data
- Changes in vegetation
- Power outage locations
This information helped emergency teams understand the damage and focus on the most urgent areas for recovery.
A key tool was NASA’s AI-powered damage assessment system. The AI models identified blue tarps on rooftops, showing where buildings were damaged. This tool, first used after Hurricane Maria in 2017, has been improved and now helps quickly assess damage and guide recovery efforts.
NASA also works with IBM to create open-source AI models. These models process large amounts of satellite data and make it easier to predict disasters, manage farms, and more.
As climate-related disasters happen more often, NASA’s AI tools and open science projects will continue to play a crucial role in helping communities around the world.
Source: businesstoday
