Methodology for estimating economic losses of corn crops damaged by floods using remote sensing

The flooded areas of corn cultivation were determined by means of satellite images in order to know the economic losses due to floods. As a case study, a flood that occurred in 2016 that affected 4 municipalities in the State of Tabasco, Mexico, was analyzed. The methodology included the use of Landsat satellite images (L8), calculation of spectral indices (water, vegetation and humidity), identification of corn growing areas through supervised classification and the estimation of economic losses. The results show that the spectral indices that best managed to identify the flooded areas were: MNDWI and NDWI. To report damages, values in USD (US dollars) were standardized in 2016 prices using exchange rates adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). For the case study, the results of damages per hectare were established between 728.57 USD / ha in PPP and 317.25 USD / ha in PPP, which agree with the estimates made in other countries for corn crops.