Using Satellite Imagery to Map the April 2025 Flood Event in Hopkinsville and Frankfort, KY to Compare with the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Earth & Environmental Sciences - Geography & GIS
Minor
Unmanned Aerial Systems
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Haluk Cetin
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
If an oral presentation is not granted, I would like to do a poster presentation if allowed.
Abstract: This research used remote sensing tools to map the extent of the April 2025 flood event in Kentucky. The specific study areas were Hopkinsville and Frankfort. The results for each city were then compared to the flooding prediction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of each city. Satellite imagery from before and after the flood was used to measure the increase in surface water, and then this was compared to the predicted increase in surface water by the FEMA FIRM. The imagery used was from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 and 9 satellites. It was found that there were flooded areas that were not outlined by the FEMA FIRM. However, overall, the FEMA FIRM showed a greater flooding extent than what occurred in April of 2025 in both cities, which is adequate for its purpose. This research showed how remote sensing tools could be used for assessing flood risk and the accuracy of flood predictions. The results of this research can be taken into consideration for future updates for the FEMA FIRM of Frankfort.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Watershed Studies Institute Research Symposium
Using Satellite Imagery to Map the April 2025 Flood Event in Hopkinsville and Frankfort, KY to Compare with the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
If an oral presentation is not granted, I would like to do a poster presentation if allowed.
Abstract: This research used remote sensing tools to map the extent of the April 2025 flood event in Kentucky. The specific study areas were Hopkinsville and Frankfort. The results for each city were then compared to the flooding prediction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of each city. Satellite imagery from before and after the flood was used to measure the increase in surface water, and then this was compared to the predicted increase in surface water by the FEMA FIRM. The imagery used was from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 and 9 satellites. It was found that there were flooded areas that were not outlined by the FEMA FIRM. However, overall, the FEMA FIRM showed a greater flooding extent than what occurred in April of 2025 in both cities, which is adequate for its purpose. This research showed how remote sensing tools could be used for assessing flood risk and the accuracy of flood predictions. The results of this research can be taken into consideration for future updates for the FEMA FIRM of Frankfort.