Cal OES says the upgrades will help track flooding and coordinate emergency resources
California announced October 6 that it is adding satellite-based disaster imaging and reopening its modernized State Operations Center in Mather.
Through an agreement with ICEYE, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will receive imagery intended to help identify flooding, estimate water depths and assess damage to homes, roads and other infrastructure.
Officials say the technology can operate through clouds, smoke and darkness, providing information when conditions limit conventional observation.
The upgraded operations center expands operational seating from 54 to 64 positions, improves accessibility and replaces aging technology. It is the facility’s first major renovation since opening in 2000.
The governor and Legislature also approved 73 permanent positions for incident-support and deployable assistance teams.
For Orange County, the announcement concerns the state’s ability to support local agencies during flooding, coastal damage and other emergencies. It does not establish a new local evacuation order or change existing weather advisories.
Sources
Governor’s Office — October 6, 2026
Illustrative image of Earth; not ICEYE imagery. Photo by NASA on Unsplash.
