Dewberry has completed a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contract to interpret aerial and satellite imagery and assess damages in South Carolina following a record-breaking storm event in late 2015.
In October 2015, South Carolina experienced unprecedented rainfall resulting in significant flooding across the state. Dewberry discerned impacts to 10,000 residential structures and public infrastructure as a result.
Initial damage assessments were derived from available imagery, high-water mark information, and a flood depth grid. In support of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, Dewberry determined the number of public buildings, dams, water control structures, parks, recreational facilities, roads, and bridges located within identified flood areas; estimated debris amounts; and posted residential damage assessments to FEMA’s GeoPlatform for public use.
“Certain South Carolina communities experienced 1,000-year rainfall scenarios during the October 2015 storm event,” said Dewberry Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager Catherine Bohn. “It is our sincerest hope this accelerated, 10-day project helped affected citizens better understand the breadth of damage and prepare for the next steps towards recovery.”
