Reconstruction monitoring of St. Martin and St. Barthélemy islands (post IRMA) (2018-04-25)

<br/> Activation date: 2018-04-25 <br/> Event type: Storm <br/> <br/> Activation reason: <br/> The purpose of the requested mapping is to generate comprehensive knowledge through performing post-disaster situation analysis concerning hurricane Irma (September 2017) over two Caribbean islands: the French part of Saint Martin and Saint Barth&eacute;lemy (FR).Towards the implementation of adequate recovery activities, efficient support and informed decision making of the involved stakeholders, damage assessment and monitoring of the reconstruction activities were performed. The monitoring of the reconstructions covered ten (10) time intervals. The first monitoring exercise, performed during the Stage-1 of the activation, informed on the reconstruction status 6 months after the event (beginning of March 2018). Then, on Stage-2 the level of reconstruction was monitored throughout 2018 and continued along 2019 on Stage-3.Key users of the geospatial information and the related map series are the Direction G&eacute;n&eacute;rale De La S&eacute;curit&eacute; Civile et de la Gestion Des Crises, and the Minist&egrave;re des Outre-mer, D&eacute;l&eacute;gation interminist&eacute;rielle.The reference map shows background information of the AOIs, including physiography, transportation infrastructure, built up areas, commercial, public and private services, etc. The information was generated/updated through photo interpretation of the available orthophotos and further elaborated through using VHR satellite imagery.&nbsp; &nbsp;Reference mapA Land Use/Land Cover map was created. The legend is based upon CORINE level 4 categories within the built-up areas and level 3 categories within the remaining areas.&nbsp; &nbsp;Land Use/ Land Cover mapThe Damage Assessment map shows the damaged assets, which were assigned a damage severity rate (four categories). In order to establish the damage rate, comparative photo interpretation of optical VHR satellite data, acquired before and after the event, was applied. The evaluation of damage was based upon the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS), 1998, and the JRC damage grading nomenclatures, through accounting for specific characteristics, e.g. the roof conditions, the surrounding area status (fences, vegetation, vehicles and wrecks) and the presence of debris.&nbsp; &nbsp;Damage Assessment mapThe Reconstruction Monitoring maps are a time series of maps showing the status of reconstruction of the damaged assets. The time series started 6 months after the event (March 2018, Stage-1), continued during 2018 (Stage-2) and finalized almost two years later, on July 2019 (Stage-3).To establish the reconstruction rate of the assets, the analysis accounted for indications of interventions such as debris clearance, building demolition, construction activities, new structures, etc. The reconstruction status was assigned per asset on the basis of a comparative photo interpretation using two dates of optical VHR satellite data. Statistics on reconstruction status complete the product.&nbsp; &nbsp;Reconstruction Monitoring maps <br/> <br/>