Roofs and Flood Plains

It's not just Census takers who want to know who's in the buildings, it's FEMA who wants to know the slope of your roof, the number of trees in your neighborhood, and whether it's prone to flooding.

According to The New York Times, a twin-engine Shrike Commander airplane, equipped with LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, recently "scanned the urban canyons of the city at about 3,500 feet in nine six-hour, post-midnight flights from April 14 to April 30."

The purpose is to understand roof pitches for potential solar energy applications and flood plains should global warming raise rainfall and flood water.

"The early morning flyovers are expected to yield the most detailed three-dimensional picture of New York City to date, with an emphasis on structures, elevations, sun and shade, and nooks and crannies relevant to the city’s emergency response system and its environmental goals."