Flood Maps

SAR reflectivity data are widely used in hydrology for the detection and mapping of flooded areas.

Generally, areas affected by flooding remain covered by clouds for many hours after the event; the main advantage of using SAR data over optical imagery is the ability of radar to operate in all weather conditions, regardless of cloud cover.

The high-resolution images acquired by the COSMO-SkyMed and TerraSAR-X radar systems enable the production of extremely accurate and detailed maps of flooded areas.

Images from the COSMO-SkyMed constellation further enhance hydrological applications for several reasons. In particular, thanks to the constellation’s very short revisit time, it is possible to assess the extent of flooded areas immediately after the flood peak.

Indeed, if satellite imagery is acquired too long after the event, assessing the flooding may prove inaccurate or even impossible.

Furthermore, in the case of large-scale events, the short revisit interval allows the evolution of the flood to be monitored over time, making it possible to reconstruct and analyse its dynamics.