NOAA POSTS AERIAL IMAGES OF HURRICANE IVAN’S DESTRUCTION

Sept. 21, 2004 — NOAA today posted online more than 1,300 aerial images of the USA Gulf Coast areas that bore the brunt of powerful Hurricane Ivan. NOAA took a total of 2,000 aerial images. The regions photographed range from Gulf Port, Miss., to Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The aerial photograph missions were conducted by the NOAA Remote Sensing Division the day after Ivan made landfall, September 17 and concluded September 20. (Click NOAA aerial image for larger view of destroyed or damaged homes in Pensacola, Fla., after Hurricane Ivan roared through the USA Gulf Coast. Click here for high resolution version, which is a very large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

The NOAA imagery was acquired to support the agency’s national security and emergency response requirements. In addition, the imagery will be used for ongoing research efforts for testing and developing standards for airborne digital imagery.

(Click NOAA aerial image for larger view of destroyed buildings in Pensacola, Fla., as well as boats tossed all over the place. Click here for high resolution version, which is a very large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click NOAA aerial image for larger view of boats tossed inland and homes damaged in Pensacola, Fla. Click here for high resolution version, which is a very large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

NOAA used an Emerge/Applanix Digital Sensor System, or DSS, to acquire the images from an altitude of 7,500 feet. The equipment was mounted on NOAA’s Gulfstream Turbo Commander aircraft, which is a stable high-winged twin turboprop aircraft. It is used for a variety of missions, including snow surveys. With all seats installed, the plane can carry two pilots and five scientists. (Click NOAA aerial image for larger view of Pensacola, Fla, showing how Hurricane Ivan’s fury moved many boats onto a highway. Click here for high resolution version, which is a very large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Ivan Aerial Images of USA Gulf Coast Impacted by Hurricane Ivan

NOAA Remote Sensing Division

Media Contact:
Greg Hernandez, NOAA, (202) 482-3091