NOAA releases aerial damage imagery from Hurricane Isaias

NOAA released aerial damage assessment imagery from Hurricane Isaias on October 13, 2026. The photographs are available online through the National Geodetic Survey. The agency collects the images using NOAA aircraft in coastal areas following hurricanes.

Imagery was gathered on three dates. On October 11, aircraft photographed Gulf Shores, Pensacola Bay area, and Panama City. On October 12, imagery was captured of Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mobile Bay, Pensacola Bay, and Chandeleur Islands. On October 13, photographs were taken of Bay and Gulf Counties between Panama City and Cape San Blas.

The National Geodetic Survey collected the imagery in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. The agency stated that aerial imagery is an important tool to determine the extent of damage inflicted by the hurricane. These photographs help determine the scope of destruction across coastlines, infrastructure, ports, waterways, and communities.

The imagery enables officials to compare baseline coastal areas with post-hurricane conditions, the agency said. This helps determine the full extent of damage to property and the environment. The aerial photographs provide a cost-effective way to understand the destruction caused by the hurricane.

NOAA's National Geodetic Survey is the U.S. Government source for precise latitude, longitude, and elevation measurements. The NOAA fleet of aircraft is operated and managed by the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.