NOTE! If you are told to evacuate, then GO! Do not rely on this map as an excuse to ignore an order to evacuate.

This map displays authoritative data from GIS (Geographical Information System) servers operated by government agencies. Each time you open the map the most recent data that is hosted on government servers will be displayed on your screen.

Be patient. The data that the map displays comes from several federal and/or state servers. Sometimes it may take a few seconds for data to appear on the map. It all depends on how much other work the servers are trying to do at the same time.

Everyone is welcome to share and repost this map link. There is no need to ask first. Please follow these simple rules:

1. Encourage your readers to click the "Map Tips" link in the upper left corner so they can learn how to get the most benefit from the map.

2. Include in your post a credit thanking https://mappingsupport.com.

3. If you are news media or a government agency, please use the 'Contact' link near the top of this page to send me a link to where you are using the map. I enjoy knowing where the map is being used.

4. Unless you are news media, do not use this map link for any commercial purpose.

Tip - If you embed this map on a webpage then it is a 'best practice' to include a link above/below the map titled something like "Open map full screen".

Open the map:
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/gissurfer.php?center=39.977021,-98.853439&zoom=5&basemap=USA_basemap&overlay=Flood_or_flash_flood_warning,Lake_river_stream,State_boundary,ESRI_roads_and_labels,NOAA_major/moderate_flood_gages&txtfile=https://mappingsupport.com/p2/special_maps/disaster/USA_streamgage.txt

Open the map short link: https://bit.ly/2O6r5jz


The map is displayed by GISsurfer which is a browser map I am developing that is based on the free open-source Leaflet API (Application Program Interface). GISsurfer is a replacement for Gmap4 which is an earlier browser map I developed that was based on the Google map API.

Due to policy changes by Google in the spring of 2018, I have shut down Gmap4 for most users. My intention is to have GISsurfer replicate most of the features that were in Gmap4. But even though I can recycle a lot of the code, it will still take awhile to do that work.

One of the big impact features of GISsurfer is the ability to display data that is hosted on GIS (Geographical Information System) servers. Government agencies at all levels operate GIS servers. This map lets you turn various GIS overlay layers on/off and restack them. You can click on most GIS overlays and see all the attribute data the GIS server has for the thing that you clicked. If the attribute data includes a link, then you can click it for even more information.

GISsurfer will display either a touch-friendly interface or a mouse-oriented interface depending on the type of device you use to open a map.

As I add features to GISsurfer updates will be posted on the MappingSupport twitter feed and the GISsurfer Facebook page.


Some GIS overlay layers only have a single type of symbol. Other GIS overlay layers have several kinds of symbols and each type of symbol has a different meaning. Note that some overlay layers might be defined on the GIS server so that they only display at certain zoom levels. You might need to zoom in or out for the data to display. And if the GIS server hosting the data is busy it might take more than a few seconds for the data to appear on the map.

The legends that explain the different symbols are hosted on the same GIS server that is hosting the data. Links to thos legends are shown below. Look at the layer number in the list below and then find that same layer number in the legend graphic.

CLICK HERE to see the legend for:

  • Flood or flash flood warning (1)

CLICK HERE to see the legend for:
  • Ice status, ice jams (0)

CLICK HERE to see the legend for:
  • NOAA all gages (0)
  • NOAA major/moderate flood gages (0)

CLICK HERE to see the legend for:
  • Army Corp (USACE) all gages (0)

CLICK HERE to see the legend for:
  • Army Corp % reservoir full (2)

CLICK HERE to see the legend for:
  • Nebraska gages (0)


The Menu button provides access to a list of actions.

To make your own custom map link:
1. Make the map look on your screen the way you want it to look when the map opens.
2. Click Menu ==> Link to this map. The link you see will replicate the map on your screen.

More features will be added over the next few months. Features that will be added include:

Change coordinate system to USNG, MGRS or UTM.

Turn on a labelled grid for USNG, MGRS or UTM..

Geolocation.

Search.

Display code to embed the map.

The above features were all working in Gmap4 so I just need to import the code and make any necessary tweaks required by the Leaflet API.


The basemap button is next to the "Menu" button and always displays the name of the current basemap. If you click the basemap button then you can change the basemap and also turn the overlays on/off. Mobile uses will need to tap the basemap button and then scroll down to the "Overlays" section.

An overlay with a number in front is 'on'. If you click that overlay again it will turn off.

As you change basemaps and turn overlays on/off, remember that it may take a few seconds (or longer) for the data to appear on your screen. The response time varies based on how busy the server is that is hosting that data. The bandwidth and congestion of your internet connection is also a factor.


If (1) one or more GIS overlays are 'on' and (2) you click on a feature in the top overlay, then you will see a display with all the attribute data the GIS server has for the thing that you clicked. This can be extremely useful, particularly when the attribute data includes a link that leads to more information.

Only the top overlay is clickable. Click the basemap button so you see the list of overlays. Any overlays that are 'on' have a number in front. The highest numbered overlay is 'on top' of the stack and is clickable.

Although most overlays have attribute data a few do not. For example, the weather radar overlay does not have useful attribute data.


The map does not display evacuation information. Please go to your county website for evacuation information. If the county website is down then look for their Twitter feed or Facebook page.


Extras


Tips for calling 911

These tips could save a life - maybe yours.

1. Be able to tell 911 your coordinates and accuracy value.

1.1. Go into 'settings' on your phone and make sure location services are turned 'on'.
1.2. Browse to findmesar.com (I wrote this webpage)
1.3. Tap the 'Next Format' button until the yellow screen appears.
1.4. If you are inside, go stand by a window.
1.5. Wait a few seconds for the accuracy value to get to 30 feet or less then tap 'stop'.
1.6. Give those coordinates and accuracy value to 911.

The next section has more information on FindMeSAR.

Yes, iPhones have a compass screen that displays coordinates. However, those coordinates are not in the format used by 911 call centers and the accuracy value is not displayed.

2. Always try making a voice call to 911 even if your phone says 'no service'.

3. Wait 30-45 seconds for your voice call to 911 to go through before hanging up.

4. If a voice call to 911 does not work, then try texting to 911 and include your coordinates and accuracy value in your text. Send just a basic plain text. Do not attach pictures or videos.

5. Turn on voice roaming (do you know how?) then try sending a basic plain text to someone that can relay your message to 911. Include your coordinates and accuracy value in your text.

For more information about these other tips, including links to documents on the FCC's website, here is a PDF file:
https://mappingsupport.com/p/sar/smart-way-call-911-with-cell-phone.pdf


FindMeSAR

In any kind of emergency you might need to tell someone your location. FindMeSAR runs offline in your browser and does one thing really well. It uses the GPS chip in your smartphone or tablet and displays coordinates for your location and an accuracy value for those coordinates.

The following link will (1) open FindMeSAR and (2) save the code [about 100KB] on your device in a special area of memory. Your browser needs to be online the first time you open FindMeSAR but after that this browser app will work offline.

https://findmesar.com/

There are four colored coded screens that each display a different coordinate format. If you are calling 911 then tap the "Next format" button until the yellow screen appears. This screen displays your latitude longitude coordinates in decimal degrees. Every 911 call center in the country understands this coordinate format.

To easily run FindMeSAR in the future you can save a bookmark in your browser. The app also includes an icon you can save on your screen.

This browser app will only run offline in the same browser (Safari, Chrome, etc) where you opened the app while you were online. Think of the app as being installed in the browser where you initially opened the app. If you want the app to be installed in more than one browser then you need to open the app in each browser while your device is online.

For more information about this browser app please open the app and then tap the button "Tips FindMeSAR".

I developed FindMeSAR after learning that sometimes when a cell phone is used to call 911 the wireless carrier does not provide accurate coordinates for the caller's location. The reason for this problem is a regulation adopted by the FCC. If you would like more information on this topic here is a pdf file I prepared with tips for calling 911 with a cell phone. Among other things you will learn about the "17 second" rule.
https://mappingsupport.com/p/sar/smart-way-call-911-with-cell-phone.pdf


One of the main features of GISsurfer is its ability to display data that is hosted on government GIS (Geographical Information System) servers. The link below will display a PDF file with the internet address for 600+ government GIS servers. These are at all levels of government from federal down to city.

https://mappingsupport.com/p/surf_gis/list-federal-state-county-city-GIS-servers.pdf