Using Technology to Predict and Respond to Flooding

Community Vulnerability to Flooding

• ⚠️ Residents in coastal communities face significant vulnerability due to increasing coastal flooding.
• 🏠 Flooding events, sometimes knee-deep, have become more frequent, overwhelming sewer systems and causing basement flooding with even moderate rainfall.
• 🩺 The impact on health, particularly from mold growth due to persistent flooding, is a major concern, with repairs deemed futile as the problem is expected to recur.
• 🌊 While some residents are not personally affected by high tides, nearby streets can experience up to a foot of water, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
• 🌍 There is an acknowledgment that coastlines are being redefined by water, and relocation may eventually be necessary.

Innovative Flood Detection Technology

• 🔬 Researchers and city authorities are collaborating to deploy a network of sensors to provide early flood warnings.
• 💡 Honu, a company from Hawaii, provides two types of overland flood sensors utilizing ultrasound and radar to measure water depth.
• 🛰️ These sensors are innovative because they can detect factors like wind-driven water accumulation, which traditional tide gauges cannot.
• 🎯 The sensors provide sight-specific information about water depth, crucial for local communities to assess their immediate flood risk.

Sensor Deployment and Data Application

• 📍 Five major sensor points have been installed in Boston Harbor, with most of the year showing no readings.
• 📈 During flooding events, the collected data reveals significant peaks, offering valuable insights into the severity and extent of the flooding.
• 💻 The data is accessible via a dashboard, allowing average individuals to check conditions relevant to their commute or decide whether to work from home.
• 🏠 The dashboard provides site-specific water depth readings, enabling residents in affected areas to understand if floodwaters are reaching their homes.