(FRI) Activation threshold

The automated analysis and delivery of Flood Rapid Impact deliverables activates when ICEYE SAR satellite imagery for a flood event becomes available. Tracking of flood events for the supported countries is provided as part of the product. ICEYE has a Meteorology team that monitors meteorological forecasts and various other sources, defines an area of interest, and tasks ICEYE SAR satellite constellation acquisitions for the event.

The exact SAR tasking threshold varies by geography and country, and is determined by the ICEYE Meteorology team. They track a variety of data sources, including ICEYE Flood Early Warning predictions, various weather forecast models (GFS, ECMWF and more local ones like ACCESS in Australia), and national meteorology services. Generally ‘high flood risk’ warnings (such as orange or red flood warning, high rain warning or high thunderstorm warning) given by local authorities, where available, are considered as starting criteria for SAR tasking.

Compared to ICEYE Flood Insights, FRI may also feature events where very minor or no flooding is seen; events that do not meet the Flood Insights activation criteria.