A “disaster camera” set up in space by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has captured the widespread flood damage in Calgary.
The International Space Station’s Environmental Research and Visualization System -- nicknamed “disaster cam” -- captured about two dozen images of the flooding on June 22, 23, 24.
Hadfield, who attracted worldwide attention by sharing stunning images of the Earth from the ISS on Twitter, installed the ISERV camera in January, during his five-month long space mission.
Hadfield recently tweeted one of the post-flood photos of Calgary, next to a picture taken before disaster struck.
On its website, NASA says the camera system is expected to provide high-resolution images of floods, forest fires, landslides and other natural disasters. The images can help officials on the ground monitor the extent of the damage and assess “environmental decision making,” the agency says.
The ISERV team says it has sent the Calgary flood images to Environment Canada, which then distributed them to other federal departments.
Hadfield, who is in Ottawa for Canada Day, recently announced his retirement from the Canadian Space Agency. He plans to be in Calgary later this week to serve as grand marshal for Friday’s Calgary Stampede Parade.
Last week, he told CTV News that he has been following news of the floods. Having lived through 11 floods at his home in Texas while working at NASA, he understands the devastation people are dealing with.
“My part is very small, I am just going to show up and thank people and congratulate folks for what’s going on,” Hadfield said. “I am sure everyone who collects into Calgary for the Stampede here shortly will be both celebrating the event itself, and all the extra work it’s taken this year.”
