In January 2022, South Australia experienced record-breaking rainfall, marking its fourth-wettest January since records began. The severe storms caused extensive flooding, submerging the Stuart Highway and the Trans-Australian Railway, effectively paralyzing critical transportation routes. The remote mining town of Coober Pedy and its surrounding areas were cut off, leaving residents stranded without essential supplies.

The South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES), a predominantly volunteer-based emergency and rescue service organization, responded swiftly, leveraging drone technology to assess the damage. Within hours of the storm subsiding, the agency deployed drones to capture high-resolution aerial images and videos of the affected regions. These visuals provided an unprecedented perspective on the extent of the flooding, including cinematic footage of submerged infrastructure and stranded vehicles.

The collected data was processed using Site Scan for ArcGIS, which stitched together aerial imagery into detailed maps and dashboards. These outputs were shared with state and national authorities, aiding resource allocation and enabling timely interventions such as airlifting supplies to isolated communities. The project exemplifies how modern technology can revolutionize disaster response by enhancing situational awareness and decision-making.