Chapter 1: Overview of Aerometrix's MetroMap Service

The South Australian aerial mapping firm Aerometrix has leveraged its MetroMap aerial imagery platform to support recovery initiatives following the severe flooding in New South Wales. MetroMap is an online subscription service that provides precise geospatial data accessible through a web interface, enhanced by 3D modeling capabilities.

Aerometrix's recent technical advancements in the MetroMap system have allowed for timely assistance to the New South Wales Flood Emergency Services amid the unprecedented floods that occur once every century. Chief Operating Officer David Byrne explained that Aerometrix conducted a targeted aerial survey of the towns of Kempsey and Port Macquarie to capture essential flood imagery.

The collected data was then integrated and analyzed within the MetroMap platform. This platform combines synthetic aperture radar satellite imagery from the COPERNICUS Emergency Management Service, data from the New South Wales government, Geoscape building footprints, and their extensive aerial image library. The outcome was a detailed map of the terrain and a list of addresses and buildings that may have sustained flood damage.

This vital information was shared with organizations directly involved in community recovery efforts, including emergency services, local councils, and insurance companies. Byrne stated, "This enabled people to access data in a more practical format, allowing for the integration of various datasets and identification of affected properties."

"We can rapidly access third-party data and display any geospatial information for specific needs through the MetroMap platform," he added. "Moving forward, we aim to provide even more analytical insights on top of the imagery as our platform evolves."

Section 1.1: Impact on Disaster Response

Aerometrix Managing Director Mark Deuter highlighted the effectiveness of the MetroMap platform in delivering essential data during crises. "The magnitude of this disaster complicates the process of identifying and aiding those impacted on an individual basis," Deuter remarked. "The advanced analytical methods developed by our team, in collaboration with our data partners, allow us to provide this information just days after acquiring satellite imagery."

The MetroMap platform has previously been employed in disaster management scenarios, including mapping efforts in the Adelaide Hills after the Cudlee Creek bushfires in December 2019. Furthermore, it serves various sectors such as construction, engineering, architecture, real estate, traffic management, and environmental oversight.

Subsection 1.1.1: Enhancing Recovery Efforts

Chapter 2: The Role of Technology in Flood Mapping

The first video, "Floodmapp on AWS: Customer Story | Amazon Web Services," discusses how technology is being utilized to enhance flood response efforts.

The second video, "New flood maps cause insurance premiums to skyrocket | 7NEWS," explores the financial implications of updated flood mapping on insurance costs.