When hurricanes approach the coast or wildfires tear through dry terrain, the first maps that most people see are the ones that track the danger itself. They show a storm’s path, the current fire perimeter or zones that might soon flood. But for emergency managers, those maps answer only part of the question. Just as important is having a fast way to estimate how many people live and work in the affected area, and which communities may face the greatest challenges.
That is where an unlikely federal agency comes in. The U.S. Census Bureau recently updated its OnTheMap for Emergency Management tool, which gives users access to population and workforce data for areas affected by natural disasters. The interactive map combines current disaster-event boundaries with the latest available Census population, housing and workforce data to help officials estimate who lives and works in affected areas. Version 4.26.1 adds the latest 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates and the 2023 Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics Origin-Destination Employment Statistics data, giving planners a more current view of the communities they may need to protect or help rebuild.
Click here to read the full article.
When disaster strikes, census data can help show who is in harm’s way
When hurricanes approach the coast or wildfires tear through dry terrain, the first maps that most people see are the ones that track the danger itself. They show a storm’s path, the current fire perimeter or zones that might soon flood. But for emergency managers, those maps answer only part of the question. Just as important is having a fast way to estimate how many people live and work in the affected area, and which communities may face the greatest challenges.
That is where an unlikely federal agency comes in. The U.S. Census Bureau recently updated its OnTheMap for Emergency Management tool, which gives users access to population and workforce data for areas affected by natural disasters. The interactive map combines current disaster-event boundaries with the latest available Census population, housing and workforce data to help officials estimate who lives and works in affected areas. Version 4.26.1 adds the latest 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates and the 2023 Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics Origin-Destination Employment Statistics data, giving planners a more current view of the communities they may need to protect or help rebuild.
Click here to read the full article.
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