Satellite-based communication can contribute after the event. Visible sensing can provide weather prediction. Satellites can provide emergency communication. Remote sensing can monitor ground saturation, flooding, etc. Remote sensing can measure water, ground moisture, and chlorophyll.
Satellite images can monitor ash clouds, to aid aircraft routing and public health teams.
Oil on the water's surface is visible, so size and drift of oil spills can be monitored. NASA's Earth Science mission should be enhanced to provide remote-sensing data to disaster agencies. DOD should increase its integration with the data systems of international disaster agencies, to provide increased disaster mitigation capability. NOAA should increase the availability of disaster-related data. Based on the recommendations of disaster agencies, space agencies working with disaster agencies should define incremental requirements for future space missions whose emphasis would clearly serve both disaster mitigation and global health.