Rapid Assessment of Damaged Homes in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma

TL;DR

This study rapidly assessed damage to over 1600 homes in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma using satellite imagery and modeling, revealing location and building factors influencing damage severity.

Contribution

It introduces a rapid damage assessment methodology combining storm modeling and satellite data, highlighting key factors affecting damage in different locations.

Findings

Damage near waterways was significant in Big Pine Key.

Trailer communities in Marathon were nearly completely destroyed.

Damage factors varied between locations, emphasizing resilience considerations.

Abstract

On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys and caused significant damage. Informed by hydrodynamic storm surge and wave modeling and post-storm satellite imagery, a rapid damage survey was soon conducted for 1600+ residential buildings in Big Pine Key and Marathon. Damage categorizations and statistical analysis reveal distinct factors governing damage at these two locations. The distance from the coast is significant for the damage in Big Pine Key, as severely damaged buildings were located near narrow waterways connected to the ocean. Building type and size are critical in Marathon, highlighted by the near-complete destruction of trailer communities there. These observations raise issues of affordability and equity that need consideration in damage recovery and rebuilding for resilience.