285 - The Deviations in GIS Strategies during Recent Mosquito Control Hurricane Responses in Florida.

GIS tools are essential during many facets of emergency response following a hurricane. The same was true for the FDACS Mosquito Control Incident Response Team (MCIRT) during the recent responses to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia in Florida. GIS tools create the foundation of mosquito control response through proper rendering of designated spray zones for treating the most affected, populated areas while avoiding protected lands. The requests for GIS also include trapping locations, acreage/mileage verification, and final mapping for reports. Though these tools remain a necessity for each hurricane, how they are used may vary greatly due to the location of impact and the characteristics of the storm. This flexibility was imperative for both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia required a major shift in GIS strategies that had been carefully crafted during Hurricane Ian in 2022. When comparing these two strategies, one can see how essential flexibility is during hurricane response, especially for GIS.