Geospatial Intelligence in Action: Jamaica’s Response to Hurricane Melissa

19 Nov 2025 | Event

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Topic(s)

Geospatial information Disasters
<span>Geospatial Intelligence in Action: Jamaica’s Response to Hurricane Melissa</span>

Event information

Within the framework of GIS Day 2025, the webinar organized by CARIGEO and Jamaica's national NERGIST team highlighted the strategic use of geospatial information to support response, damage assessment and recovery following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, emphasizing the value of inter-institutional and regional cooperation.

Date

19 Nov 2025, 12:00 - 13:30
View Agenda

Event type

Meetings and technical symposiums

The webinar “Geospatial Intelligence in Action: Jamaica’s Response to Hurricane Melissa,” organized within the framework of GIS Day 2025 under the umbrella of CARIGEO and in coordination with Jamaica’s national NERGIST team, highlighted the strategic role of geospatial information in natural disaster response. The event was held virtually on November 19, 2025, and received technical support from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

During the webinar, it was presented how, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, geospatial tools enabled real-time situational awareness, damage assessment, identification of inaccessible areas, and support for inter-institutional coordination. The presentations addressed the use of satellite imagery, open data, national dashboards, and drone mapping operations, highlighting the value of collaboration among public agencies, the private sector, academia, and international partners.

 

Webinar CARIGEO: Response hurricane Melissa - webex

 

The seminar also demonstrated how geospatial information remains crucial in the recovery phase, supporting damage and loss assessments using methodologies such as DALA and contributing to the planning of resilient reconstruction. The panel discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, the need to invest in geospatial capabilities, and the importance of strengthening the Caribbean's regional preparedness for future extreme events.

Schedule

Part 1: Welcome & Opening Remarks

Delivered by: Simone Lloyd, GISP, Caribbean Vocal, CARIGEO Chair and NERGIST Coordinator

  1. Background and Context of Jamaica’s observance of Geography Awareness Month and GIS Day
  2. The purpose of GIS Day in a disaster year
  3. Context-setting on Hurricane Melissa’s impact and the urgency of geospatial action

Part 2: Mini-Keynote - Geospatial Intelligence in Action

a. Seeing the Storm: Geospatial Situational Awareness

Presenter: Alicia Edwards, Principal Director, National Spatial Data Management Branch, Ministry of Economic Growth & Infrastructure Development, Jamaica

How Jamaica leveraged multi-source geospatial data in the earliest hours and days

b. Eyes in the Sky: Jamaica’s Drone Mapping Operations

Presenter: Dr. Valrie Grant, CEO, Jamaica Flying Labs

The national drone response coordinated by Jamaica Flying Labs, in collaboration with NERGIST and the JCAA

c. From Response to Recovery: Data-Driven Rebuilding

Presenter: Nadine Brown, Director, Sustainable Development, Planning Institute of Jamaica

How geospatial information is informing next steps in Jamaica’s recovery

Part 3: Panel Discussion

Why Geospatial Data Matters: Lessons from the Melissa Response 

Moderator: Dr. Valrie Grant, CEO, Jamaica Flying Labs

Panelists:

  • Simone Lloyd, GISP - NERGIST Coordinator, National Spatial Data Management Branch, Ministry of Economic Growth & Infrastructure Development, Jamaica
  • Ronald Jackson - Head, Disaster Risk Reduction & Recovery for Building Resilience, Crisis Bureau, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Nadine Brown - Director, Sustainable Development, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)
  • Matthew Webster - Head of Geospatial Technologies, Spatial Innovision Ltd.

Discussion Themes:

  1. How spatial data improved coordination and safety
  2. Investing in geospatial capacity: people, systems, partnerships
  3. Vision for future Caribbean disaster-response geospatial readiness

Part 4: Q&A Session

Part 5: Vote of Thanks & Closing Remarks 

Webinar CARIGEO: Response hurricane Melissa - webex

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