When a significant event occurs, MIS collects aerial and satellite imagery of the affected area. This imagery is published directly on GEO so you can see the damage from above — and compare it against imagery from before the event.
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[SCREENSHOT: Event report showing a post-event aerial imagery layer over a damaged area, with the imagery date visible]

MIS collects imagery in two stages:

Quickest imagery — Released as fast as possible after the event. This imagery may have some adverse conditions such as smoke, cloud cover, or haze. MIS analysts are trained to assess damage through these conditions, so the imagery is still useful even when conditions aren't ideal.

Clearest imagery — Collected until high-resolution, clear imagery is available. This gives you the best visual quality for your own review and self-validation.

All imagery on GEO is dated. The date tells you exactly when that image was captured, which matters for establishing when damage occurred.

Imagery appears as a layer in the Layers panel of an event report. Turn it on like any other layer. When imagery is available, you'll typically see separate layers for pre-event and post-event — each with its own date.

To compare before and after:

See [Map Controls] for full details on Dual and Slider views.
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[SCREENSHOT: Slider view with pre-event imagery on one side and post-event on the other, showing visible storm damage on the post-event side]

Imagery is collected across the event footprint, prioritised by where damage is confirmed. Coverage is not always complete — it depends on satellite passes, airspace access, and weather conditions. Large events may have imagery for the most affected areas only.

Unlike MIS layers, imagery cannot be downloaded from GEO. This is due to licensing terms with third-party providers. If you need imagery for a specific purpose — for example, a legal case or a detailed investigation — contact [email protected].

How do I know when imagery has been added to an event?
If you've opted in to continual updates for that peril type, GEO will send you an email notification when new imagery is published. See [Email Notifications] for setup instructions. You can also check the event report directly — the Layers panel shows available imagery layers.

The imagery layer is turned on but I can't see anything. What should I check?
Zoom in on the map. Imagery is typically visible only when zoomed in to a certain level — at a wide zoom level, the layer may not render. Also check that the imagery layer is above other layers in the stack by reordering in the Layers panel.

Can I compare imagery from two different dates within the same event?
If MIS has published multiple imagery layers with different dates (for example, quickest imagery and clearest imagery), you can assign them to different sides in Dual view and compare them. Use the three-dot menu on each layer to assign left or right.

Is pre-event imagery always available?
Not always. Pre-event imagery relies on archive data being available for that area. For most populated areas in North America and Europe, pre-event coverage is available. Some areas may have limited archive imagery.