How satellite images could help get food and water to typhoon victims

When Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on Earth, struck the Philippines Nov. 8, 2013, it tore a wide swath of destruction across large parts of the island nation.

Maps of satellite imagery could be used to determine what structures had been destroyed in a disaster, and what areas and infrastructure are still intact.

Providing aid to those affected in the Philippines has been an incredibly difficult task since many of the roads and airports were wiped away by Typhoon Haiyan.

But a new map developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory can pinpoint exactly what structures were damaged and where.

NASA compares satellite imagery before and after a disaster.

That info is so detailed that it can capture nuances like the texture of surfaces from space -- like a building's roof. If that "texture" changed after an event, that could indicate what's destroyed and what areas are still intact.

Frank Webb from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory explains more.