DisasterResponse
OPERA: Addressing Societal Needs with Satellite Data
OPERA: Addressing Societal Needs with Satellite Data The OPERA project aims to address critical satellite data needs identified by federal agencies, providing high-quality, ready-to-use satellite-derived information to support environmental monitoring, disaster response, and infrastructure management. OPERA delivers data products in formats that are immediately usable and analysis-ready, eliminating technical barriers that prevent agencies from effectively […]
🔬 Science
Pacific Moisture Drenches the U.S. Northwest
Pacific Moisture Drenches the U.S. Northwest Pacific Northwest region experienced heavy rainfall in early December 2025, resulting in landslides and flooding due to a potent atmospheric river. The atmospheric river originated from near the Philippines, approximately 7,000 miles away, and brought moisture that was not typical for the region, highlighting the unpredictability of weather patterns. […]
📰 News
Social media could help speed up humanitarian responses in crises
Social media could help speed up humanitarian responses in crises A new study found that analyzing social media posts can help predict when people will move during crises, supporting faster and more effective aid delivery. The study analyzed almost 2 million social media posts in three languages on X (formerly Twitter) to identify patterns that […]
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City Lights and Atmospheric Glow
City Lights and Atmospheric Glow JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui captured a stunning photo of southern Europe and the northwestern Mediterranean coast from the International Space Station on August 30, 2025. The photo shows the Po Valley urban corridor in Italy, with metropolitan areas of Milan and Turin shining brightly alongside their surrounding suburbs. Crew members […]
🔬 Science
National 211 hotline calls for food assistance quadrupled in a matter of days, a magnitude typically seen during disasters
National 211 hotline calls for food assistance quadrupled in a matter of days, a magnitude typically seen during disasters During the US government shutdown, calls to local 211 helplines for food assistance quadrupled from nearly 1,000 per day to over 4,200 per day in just a few days, exceeding typical disaster response levels. The surge […]
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History shows why FEMA is essential in disasters, and how losing independent agency status hurt its ability to function
History shows why FEMA is essential in disasters, and how losing independent agency status hurt its ability to function FEMA’s independent agency status was lost in the early 2000s, leading to complaints about delays caused by bureaucracy and red tape. The Trump administration is cutting jobs at FEMA and talking about dismantling the agency, which […]
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Schools and communities can help children bounce back after distressing disasters like the LA wildfires
Schools and communities can help children bounce back after distressing disasters like the LA wildfires The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires reduced more than 15,000 structures to ash in a matter of days. Among the devastation were 11 public and private schools and 30 child care facilities. In all, the fires disrupted the education and daily […]
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US earthquake safety relies on federal employees’ expertise
US earthquake safety relies on federal employees’ expertise The 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake near San Francisco in 1989 caused about $6.8 billion in damage and 63 deaths. J.K. Nakata/U.S. Geological Survey Earthquakes and the damage they cause are apolitical. Collectively, we either prepare for future earthquakes or the population eventually pays the price. The […]
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