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August 2020: Hurricane Laura

National Geodetic Survey damage assessment imagery available online.

Tropical Storm Laura, seen here by GOES East on August, 27, 2020, at 2 A.M. ET made landfall.

Hurricane Laura, seen here by GOES EAST on August, 27, 2020, at 2 A.M. ET.

From August 27-31, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Imagery was collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. View tips on how to use the imagery viewer.

NOAA's aerial imagery aids safe navigation and captures damage to coastal areas caused by a storm. Aerial imagery is a crucial tool to determine the extent of the damage inflicted by flooding, and to compare baseline coastal areas to assess the damage to major ports and waterways, coastlines, critical infrastructure, and coastal communities. This imagery provides a cost-effective way to better understand the damage sustained to both property and the environment. View NOAA Emergency Response Imagery collected on the following days:

More Information

NOAA's National Geodetic Survey is the U.S. Government source for precise latitude, longitude, and elevation measurements. The NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft is operated, managed, and maintained by the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, which includes commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps and civilian wage mariners.

01/17/24

Before/After: Selected Images from the Aerial Imagery Viewer

Select the round icon with directional arrows using your mouse (or your finger) and slide back and forth to view a "before and after" comparison. "Before" imagery is provided by Mapbox, Digital Globe, and OpenStreetMap; "After" imagery was captured by NOAA's National Geodetic Survey in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. View tips on how to use the imagery viewer.

East of Grand Lake, Louisiana (near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway) after Laura East of Grand Lake, Louisiana (near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway) before Laura

East of Grand Lake, Louisiana (near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway) | View this location on the map.

Lake Charles, Louisiana (East of Lake Charles Regional Airport) after Laura Lake Charles, Louisiana (East of Lake Charles Regional Airport) before Laura

Lake Charles, Louisiana (East of Lake Charles Regional Airport) | View this location on the map.

Lake Charles, Louisiana (Just north of Lake Charles Loop on I-210) after Laura Lake Charles, Louisiana (Just north of Lake Charles Loop on I-210) before Laura

Lake Charles, Louisiana (Just north of Lake Charles Loop on I-210) | View this location on the map.

an image showing the area near Cameron, Louisiana before Laura an image showing flooding near Cameron, Louisiana after Laura

Near Cameron, Louisiana | View this location on the map.

an image showing the area near Holly Beach, Louisiana before Laura an image showing damage near Holly Beach, Louisiana after Laura

Near Holly Beach, Louisiana | View this location on the map.