USF's CRIS-HAZARD Flood App: Upgrades and Lessons Learned After One Year

CRIS-HAZARD Flood App Overview

• 💡 The CRIS-HAZARD flood app is a crowd-sourcing tool developed by University of South Florida researchers for monitoring and tracking flooding in Pinellas County.
• 🎯 Launched in September 2024, the app was immediately tested by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, providing valuable data.

Data Collection and AI Integration

• 📸 Researchers collected data through the app and static cameras, enabling them to understand water rise extent and timing.
• 🧠 The app translates users' lived experiences and uploaded photos into data using AI and computer vision to analyze flooding nature, extent, and depth.
• 📈 Solar-powered cameras installed by USF in various cities, from St. Pete to Dunedin, supplement user-uploaded photos.

App Upgrades and Future Potential

• 🛠️ Upgrades include using AI to differentiate between minor and major flooding based on photos.
• 📈 The number of cameras has expanded from 8 to 31, with more planned, enhancing data collection capabilities.
• ⚠️ Researchers hypothesize that severe non-hurricane storms can also cause significant flooding, encouraging users to upload photos during such events when evacuation is not a concern.

Municipal Applications and Expansion

• 🚗 The app's data on water depth is crucial for municipalities to dispatch appropriate rescue vehicles capable of handling specific water levels.
• 🗺️ USF is ready to transfer the project to counties and municipalities, with potential for expansion to other counties.
• 💰 Funding is a key consideration, as the current grant ends in 2026, requiring future investment for continued development and expansion.
• 📍 Gulfport is the next city slated for camera and pole installations to measure water depth, collaborating with flood plain managers to prioritize communities most in need.