Leica Geosystems Supports Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Leica Geosystems (Switzerland) has announced that it is actively supporting government agencies and disaster relief organisations responding to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The storm and its aftermath devastated the United States Gulf Coast region and impacted the environment and infrastructure of much of the U.S.

Several Leica Geosystems employees have responded to the catastrophe by working with state, local, federal and nonprofit organisations to provide spatial expertise and humanitarian support. These individuals have provided training to state disaster management agencies, support to federal departments, and assistance to international organisations.

Atlanta-based employees of Leica Geosystems have additionally participated in a local charity drive to collect school supplies for the evacuees that are now enrolled in metropolitan Atlanta schools.
Leica Geosystems equipment, personnel, temporary software licenses, training and technical support, and other assistance are available for any organization with geospatial information needs while participating in the relief effort. Products provided include: Leica GS20 Professional Data Mapper, Leica DSW700 Digital Scanning Workstation, Leica ADS40 Airborne Digital Sensor, ERDAS IMAGINE, Leica Photogrammetry Suite, Image Analysis for ArcGIS and Stereo Analyst for ArcGIS.

These have been employed to collect and process geospatial data for mapping applications to support search and rescue mission. Additionally, Leica Geosystems can facilitate:

• classification of satellite imagery to show the advance / retreat of water
  
• assessment and orthorectification of before / after images to assist in relief efforts (such as identifying unobstructed roads or routes)
  
• 3D visualisation to help with understanding spatial relationships
  
• creation of maps for printing or linking to a GPS for field work and navigation
  
• analysis of thermal-band imagery to identify trapped survivors.