Learning ArcGIS Pro through hazard mapping: storm surge, FEMA risk, and wildfire hot spots
Hi Esri Community,
I recently completed a set of ArcGIS Pro exercises focused on GIS fundamentals, spatial data management, tabular joins, spatial analysis, raster analysis, and spatial statistics. As practice, I created several hazard-related map layouts for South Carolina and the Carolinas.
The examples include:
- Bull Island storm-surge visualization using hurricane track data and a 4 m surge layer.
- South Carolina county-level Expected Annual Loss map using FEMA National Risk Index-style risk categories.
- Optimized Hot Spot Analysis of wildfires in the Carolinas, showing statistically significant hot and cold spot clusters.
My goal was not to produce a final operational hazard model, but to practice the full GIS workflow: data preparation, projection awareness, tabular joins, spatial/raster analysis, symbology, layout design, and map communication.
I would appreciate feedback on the following:
- Are the legends and risk classes clear enough for a general audience?
- How can I improve the layout balance, especially white space, north arrow size, scale bars, and map extent?
- What is the best way to document assumptions and data sources in an ArcGIS Pro layout?
- For the wildfire hot spot map, what additional method notes should I include so the statistical output is not over-interpreted?
- For storm-surge visualization, what are the common mistakes beginners should avoid when presenting surge-exposure maps?
Data sources used in the layouts include NOAA IBTrACS hurricane track data, FEMA risk data, and Esri/OpenStreetMap basemap sources where applicable.
I welcome any cartographic, analytical, or workflow feedback.
Thank you,
Padam
