Mapping of flooded areas in Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero-México, using TanDEM-X radar images

Abstract

The present map has as an objective to evince the use of TanDEM-X high-resolution radar images to identify flooded zones associated with Hurricane Manuel, which occurred on September 14th -16th 2013, in the municipality of Acapulco de Juarez, Mexico. A semi-automated process was utilized together with reversible vector transformation to segment flooded areas on the basis of textural characteristics related to pre and post-event change ratios. The results allowed the identification of three sorts of textures associated with the behavior of the radar signal response; these textures are related with various states of change of waterbodies. The usefulness of this cartography lies in its contribution to rapid mapping over a disaster event as it utilizes radar images that can be processed in short time; however, results depend on acquisition level and polarimetry, as well as on the immediateness to acquire post-event SAR images.