Efficient Drone-Based Assessment of Storm Damage in Forests
After a storm, you need to know quickly what happened in the forest. With drones we can take stock of storm damage and prioritize measures, and produce a clear basis for the contractor and any insurance process.
We fly over affected stocks and deliver a damage map with location-accurate data, photo documentation and summary by area. You get a quick overview to plan harvesting, salvage of timber and restoration - without spending days on fieldwork.
After a storm, the risk of consequential damage increases, such as Spruce Bark Beetle and other insect pests. Prompt inventory reduces the risk of spread and economic losses.
- Quick overview (1-3 days)
- Storm Damage
- Damage map (GIS)
- Insurance basis
Advantages of Drone-Based Forest Damage Assessment After Storms
- Faster decisions: get a coherent picture of the damage before sending out machinery and people.
- Prioritization by stock: we help you easily rank areas by degree of damage and access (roads, terrain, risk trees).
- Minor missed damage: drones provide visibility even where walking is difficult or unsafe (difficult terrain, rootwads, tension wood).
- Photo documentation: geotagged images to support dialog with the contractor, landowner and insurance company.
- Map base ready for GIS: possibility of delivery in common formats (e.g. GeoPackage/shape) and PDF map for quick sharing
- Cost control: you put the effort where it does good - not on 'looking for harm'.
Technology and Methodology for Drone-Based Forest Damage Assessment
Sensor and flight: we plan the flight according to the extent of the damage, terrain and restrictions. For storm damage, high-resolution RGB imagery is often sufficient to find windfalls, stem breaks, snow breaks/top breaks; if necessary, combined with LiDAR for better structure in dense forest.
Position and quality: RTK/PPK and accurate logging provide stable georeferencing. The material is quality assured and compiled so you can make decisions without 'interpreting' the raw data.
Delivery: you will receive a map with damage areas and photo points, as well as a short report with recommended priorities (e.g. save timber first, secure roads, risk trees).
- Intervention 24-72 h
- RTK/PPK + geotagged
- Damage map (GeoPackage)
- Report + PDF map
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage
We can identify windfalls, breakage damage, major damage concentrations and access problems (e.g. blocked roads). The outcome depends on forest density, light and selected sensor (RGB/LiDAR).
We can often plan and carry out a first flight within 24-72 hours, depending on the weather, flight restrictions and the size of the area affected.
It depends on terrain, resolution and logistics. We always suggest a level that matches your decision (quick overview first, detail where needed).
Typically: PDF map for quick overview, GIS files (e.g. GeoPackage/shape) for further work and geotagged photo points and orthomosaic/orthophoto.
Yes, we can. We can compile the damage class per stand, propose the order of action and deliver documentation that is easy to use for the contractor and response management.
Price depends on area, resolution/sensor, travel time and delivery level. Send us an approximate area and location and we will get back to you with an arrangement and a quote.
