State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

Data-Driven Emergency Response: Learning from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Data-Smart City Solutions: Nothing exposes a city’s limited resources quite like an emergency. The reality is that during many natural disasters, municipalities face more 911 calls than they could possibly field, more ravaged buildings than they could possibly repair, and more residents in need of help than they could possibly reach.

And yet the situation is not a hopeless one. By leveraging the power of data—whether by pushing relevant information out to residents and volunteer responders or prioritizing for rescue areas with more damage and vulnerable residents—cities can maximize the value of the resources they do possess. The successes and missed opportunities in the response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are an apt reminder of the value of data in emergency management and the capacity for cities to expand their efforts in the future.

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