NGA Hurricane Response Innovates to Improve Search, Rescue | National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Last fall, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) played a vital role in responding to back-to-back hurricanes, Milton and Helene. These deployments showcased NGA's ongoing commitment to supporting humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts at federal, state, and local levels, particularly in search-and-rescue missions. Right after Hurricane Helene hit the Big Bend region of Florida in late September, NGA was called in to provide geospatial intelligence support. This mission was crucial to the National Response Framework, which coordinates government efforts during crises. To aid the rescue teams, NGA sent out a mobile GEOINT support trailer along with a deployable rapid assembly shelter (DRASH) and tents. These resources enabled the agency to deliver timely and critical assistance to search-and-rescue crews operating in challenging environments. The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies conducted follow-up searches along Florida’s coastlines and canals, heavily relying on NGA’s detailed geographic data. Initially, the NGA team deployed to Orlando to work alongside the Incident Command Center led by the federal agency in charge. They quickly realized additional data collection capabilities were needed due to the storm's widespread impact, which extended into areas like Western North Carolina. NGA responded by deploying resources there, supporting tactical mapping and search functions that were crucial for ground teams. While still engaged in the Helene response, Hurricane Milton made landfall, prompting NGA to send more personnel to Florida to handle the new emergency. On October 9, additional NGA resources joined the incident support team in Orlando. After receiving specific orders, NGA deployers headed to Pasco County to assist search-and-rescue teams positioned at forward operating bases within the disaster zones. Throughout these operations, NGA provided detailed maps, gridded reference graphics, and high-resolution imagery, including 360-degree ground-level photographs of severely damaged areas. This information greatly enhanced understanding of the flood-affected regions and helped prioritize rescue efforts. Photos taken during these missions captured the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Milton, underscoring the severity of the situation. In leadership news, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michele H. Bredenkamp became the ninth director of NGA on November 5. As NGA prepares to open its new campus in St. Louis, the agency reflects on its evolving mission to deliver top-tier geospatial intelligence. This intelligence empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Defense (DOD) by enhancing their abilities to anticipate, detect, and respond to threats across the U.S. Moving forward, the experiences gained from responding to Hurricanes Milton and Helene will likely inform improved tactics and technologies for future disasters. NGA’s ability to rapidly deploy geospatial assets and integrate with other agencies marks a significant innovation in emergency response efforts. These advancements not only improve operational efficiency but also increase the safety and effectiveness of search-and-rescue missions across the country.