The U.S. Geological Survey's Center for

Integration of Natural Disaster

Information (CINDI) is a research and

operational facility that explores methods

for collecting, integrating, and communicating information about the risks posed

by natural hazards and the effects of natural disasters. The U.S. Geological

Survey (USGS) is mandated by the

Robert Stafford Act to warn citizens of

impending landslides, volcanic eruptions,

and earthquakes. The USGS also coordinates with other Federal, State, and local

disaster agencies to monitor threats to

communities from floods, coastal storms,

wildfires, geomagnetic storms, drought,

and outbreaks of disease in wildlife populations. 

Integration of Hazards and

Disaster Data

Natural hazards become natural disasters

when they affect people, the structures

that they build, and/or important ecosystems. Natural disasters injure and kill

people, damage or destroy property,

weaken the societal infrastructure, and

cost the United States billions of dollars

each year in economic losses. Scientific

analysis of hazard and disaster data is

needed before, during, and after a natural

disaster to understand its effect and

dimension and to determine how best to

respond to existing and potential losses

and how to aid with recovery activities.

CINDI data integration specialists contribute to scientific analysis by combining, or integrating, data from multiple

sources to create custom geospatial and

communication products that portray hazards and disasters. These products help

USGS hazards scientists and the disaster

response community to save lives, lessen

economic losses, and reduce the severity

of a natural disaster's effects. The CINDI

is emerging as the USGS focal point for

hazard information through research, disaster response, and outreach.

Research

The CINDI Research Program promotes

interdisciplinary research for hazards

response and mitigation. Grants are

awarded annually to USGS hazards

researchers through a competitive proposal evaluation process. Scientists using the

evolving CINDI research facility have

access to cutting-edge geospatial technology for hazards studies. Research activities range from developing new methods

for evaluating and analyzing hazards and

disaster data to designing predictive modCenter for Integration of Natural Disaster Information

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

USGS Fact Sheet 003-01

January 2001

Hurricane Floyd Response (September 1999): The CINDI collaborated with other USGS offices through the

USGS Hurricane Response Team to collect field data, imagery, and map information for use in quantifying

the effect on water quality caused by flooded hog and poultry farms. These activities provided valuable

information for emergency response communities in North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey to assess

threats to human health.

CINDI staff research three-dimensional digital mapping technology for use in tracking water pollution from

coal mines in Pennsylvania.
eling and decision support systems for

hazard response activities. Research

applications help citizens, local and State

officials, and Federal managers make

well-informed decisions when faced with

a natural hazard or disaster. 

Disaster Response 

Before, during, and after a disaster, the

CINDI focuses on near-real time monitoring efforts. Before a disaster strikes, the

CINDI integrates and disseminates information gathered from the USGS hazards

programs and other official sources on

hazards such as approaching hurricanes,

volcanic activity, landslides, and drought

potential. During a disaster, the CINDI

integrates data from multiple sources to

quickly provide information and custom

geographic information system products

needed by decision makers and recovery

teams. The CINDI staff facilitates disaster-response meetings that link headquarters staff to field personnel using conference calling and the Internet. In collaboration with USGS hazards and external

affairs programs, the CINDI disseminates

disaster information to the media and

other USGS employees. After a disaster,

the CINDI obtains remote sensing data to

combine with existing spatial information

to assess the disaster's impact.

Outreach

Outreach is a natural derivative of the

CINDI data integration and research roles.

CINDI outreach enhances the visibility of

the USGS as a leader in natural hazards

information, both within the USGS community and throughout the natural hazards

community worldwide. The CINDI promotes the activities of the USGS hazards

programs through its Web site, briefings

to visitors, and facility tours. The CINDI

facility is designed for outreach and

accommodates audiences of varying sizes

and technical levels. It is available to all

USGS staff to use as a showcase for

USGS hazards programs, to conduct disaster-related meetings, or to carry out

research. 

Information

For more information on the CINDI,

please contact:

Center for Integration of Natural Disaster

Information

U.S. Geological Survey, MS 570

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA 20192

Telephone: 703-648-6059

Fax: 703-648-5097

URL: http://cindi.usgs.gov

For information on other USGS products

and services, call 1-888-ASK-USGS, use

the Ask.USGS fax service, which is available 24 hours a day at 703-648-4888, or

visit the general interest publications Web

site on mapping, geography, and related

topics at mac.usgs.gov/mac/isb/pubs/

pubslists/index.html.

For additional information, visit the

ask.usgs.gov Web site or the USGS home

page at www.usgs.gov.

Hurricane Mitch was one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the Western Hemisphere. From

October 27 through November 1, 1998, it battered the Caribbean coast and parts of Honduras, Nicaragua,

El Salvador, and Guatemala, in Central America (the storm track is shown in gray). In response to this disaster, the CINDI produced an atlas of more than 40 map layers that can be combined to generate custom

maps of the affected area. The atlas can be viewed online at http://cindi.usgs.gov.

CINDI scientists provide numerous outreach briefings and tours each month to national and international scientists, professionals, and education groups.