During emergency events, first responders need accurate and timely data, often requiring maps that are easy to access, update, and share. But sending large geospatial map files is a challenge because of recipients’ email capacities and computing system limitations. Many of our clients cannot utilize GIS files because they lack access to and/or training on GIS software.

We needed an easy-to-understand system that could transport georeferenced maps and imagery to our clients, whether they were connected or offline. TerraGo® software and GeoPDF® maps and imagery enables us to provide a round-trip workflow, serving as a platform for geospatial applications and moving spatially aware information between users and systems.

The Benefits

• Using TerraGo Publisher™ for ArcGIS, we can produce customized GeoPDF maps using its Esri® ArcGIS® assets.
• GeoPDF maps are easy for the end-user to access because it’s contained within a PDF format.
• The GeoPDF maps can include storm surge inundation, evacuation zones, critical facilities and community infrastructure, roadway networks, satellite imagery, and much more.
• Map features are not only displayed on the map for visualization purposes, but they can also be queried to obtain additional information.
• Since GeoPDF map layers can be turned on and off easily, maps can include multiple detailed layers that can be tailored to the needs of the end user and reduce file size.
• Emergency managers using the GeoPDF maps can add information to the maps in the form of photo and video attachments, hyperlinks, icons, and markups.

TerraGo and GeoPDF allow us to present our study findings in a way that our clients can immediately open and understand. We’ve successfully used this product on several projects:

• We developed a GeoPDF for Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama to show critical roadways and bridges that could be flooded by hurricanes or other freshwater flooding events, rendering the roads impassable. These interactive maps included elevations, photos, and other important data.
• As part of the Mississippi Hurricane Evacuation Study Update, we developed GeoPDFs to depict storm surge inundation, evacuation zones, and information regarding populations, structures and critical infrastructure within three Mississippi coastal counties.
• We are currently developing GeoPDFs for the South Carolina and Georgia Hurricane Evacuation Study Updates.

When responding to a disaster—since critical infrastructure such as phones and Internet are often cut off—GeoPDF maps can be distributed on printouts, USBs, or DVDs. This is incredibly important when emergency managers are making critical decisions about who should stay and who should go during a planned evacuation.