FlyGuys and TerraFort Revolutionize Disaster Damage Assessments, Reducing Time from Months to Days
Partnership Enhances Disaster Assessment Following Super Typhoon Sinlaku
FlyGuys, in collaboration with disaster intelligence company TerraFort, has reported significant advancements in post-disaster assessments through the integration of drone-based aerial data collection and AI-powered analysis. This partnership enabled a comprehensive assessment in the Northern Mariana Islands just 10 days after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, facilitating quicker recovery efforts for relief organizations and government agencies compared to traditional methods.
Impact of Super Typhoon Sinlaku
The partnership was activated following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which impacted Saipan and Tinian. The Category 5 storm produced sustained winds exceeding 180 mph, leading to extensive infrastructure damage, widespread power outages, and severe flooding, as well as the loss of up to 60% of livestock.
Despite challenges in transportation and communication, FlyGuys deployed drone crews shortly after the storm. The pilots gathered approximately one terabyte of aerial imagery, which was subsequently analyzed by TerraFort’s AI platform to assess structural damage.
Within 10 days of the storm’s landfall, the assessment encompassed 4,135 residential structures, revealing:
- 991 destroyed homes
- 2,267 homes with major damage
- 739 homes with minor damage
- 138 affected homes
The companies indicated that the actual damage may have been even more extensive. The assessment data was shared with the American Red Cross and local government agencies, aiding in the provision of assistance to affected homeowners and supporting infrastructure planning and FEMA disaster declaration efforts.
Streamlining Disaster Assessment Processes
In the aftermath of the deployment, FlyGuys and TerraFort developed a more integrated workflow. Users can now directly select FlyGuys pilots through the TerraFort platform, streamlining coordination and allowing for automatic aerial image collection and AI-powered damage assessments in response to qualifying weather events.
Grady Joseph, CEO of TerraFort, emphasized the importance of rapid data collection in disaster-stricken areas, stating, “Time is of the essence, especially where people have lost their homes or any semblance of safety.”
Joe Stough, CEO of FlyGuys, highlighted the partnership’s effectiveness in combining aerial data collection with AI analysis, noting that it exemplifies the potential of integrating technology to expedite decision-making processes in emergency situations.
Future Prospects
TerraFort currently collaborates with various county and state government agencies across the United States and is exploring opportunities to expand its reach. FlyGuys is positioned to provide rapid aerial data collection in response to future disasters, leveraging its extensive network of drone pilots.