Pre- And post-storm hurricane monitoring via data-driven SAR-based analytics

Ursa Space Systems (Ursa Space) has developed an approach to effective pre- and post-storm monitoring utilizing its extensive virtual constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and its advanced analytics platform. SAR provides a reliable day or night earth observation data source that can cut through cloud cover for a clear view of an area with very limited atmospheric effects on image collection. To begin the process of hurricane monitoring, Ursa Space provides an initial understanding of a vulnerable region by examining a time series of low-resolution SAR data and generating historical change maps, which we then analyze to detect trends and infer significant change events. Based on these preliminary results, we task high-resolution SAR data for further investigation. Ahead of the hurricane, we strategically task imagery using expected storm tracks and other weather-forecasting data to provide a baseline for postevent flood mapping. After the storm passes, we continue to collect data to monitor the region, generating fused data layers describing storm damage and standing water with additional land-use land-cover (LULC) context. With specially tasked imagery, we can also examine soil moisture and other detailed ground disturbance through interferometric SAR (InSAR). The feasibility and significance of Ursa Space's approach to pre- and post-storm monitoring is demonstrated through retrospective analysis of two storms, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Dorian.