Flood Prediction & Mapping | floodmapp

The Devastating Impact of Flooding and the Need for Advanced Prediction

Floods represent a significant and destructive natural hazard. They cause widespread disruption to communities, resulting in the displacement of populations and the destruction of property annually. Recovery efforts can extend for years, and complete restoration isn't always achievable.

U.S. government assessments indicate that recent floods, excluding those associated with hurricanes and tropical storms, have incurred approximately $160 billion in damages and tragically resulted in hundreds of fatalities.

FloodMapp: A Modern Approach to Flood Prediction

Despite the availability of extensive sensor networks and satellite technology, a comprehensive, real-time global flood model remains largely absent. Current methodologies often rely on outdated systems that fail to leverage the potential of big data and advanced computing power.

FloodMapp, a startup based in Brisbane, Australia, is dedicated to revolutionizing flood prediction. Their aim is to provide emergency managers and the public with timely and accurate information regarding impending floods and appropriate response strategies.

The Genesis of FloodMapp

Juliette Murphy, CEO and co-founder, brings a wealth of experience in water resources engineering to the company. She witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of flooding, including the complete submersion of a friend’s home in 2011.

Further experiences in Calgary two years later, observing similar scenes of flooding and evacuation anxieties, solidified her commitment to developing improved disaster management tools.

These experiences prompted Murphy to collaborate with CTO and co-founder Ryan Prosser, leading to the establishment of FloodMapp in 2018. The company secured $1.3 million AUD in funding, complemented by a matching grant.

Leveraging Data and Machine Learning

The core principle behind FloodMapp is the belief that the technology exists to create real-time flood models, but its potential has been underutilized. Given knowledge of a location’s topography, predicting water flow is fundamentally achievable, as water naturally follows the path of gravity.

However, performing high-resolution calculations of second-order differential equations has historically been computationally demanding. To overcome this, Murphy and Prosser opted for a data-driven approach, utilizing machine learning techniques to streamline these calculations.

“We do top down what used to be bottoms up,” Murphy explains, emphasizing their success in overcoming speed limitations. This innovative work culminated in the development of DASH, the company’s real-time flood model.

Integration and Applications

FloodMapp distinguishes itself by prioritizing integration with existing systems. Rather than functioning as a standalone platform, it provides a data layer compatible with geographic information systems (GIS) such as ESRI’s ArcGIS.

This allows emergency response and recovery personnel to combine FloodMapp’s data with other relevant information, enhancing situational awareness. Customers access this data layer through a subscription service.

Currently, FloodMapp collaborates with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in Australia, as well as the cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach in Virginia.

Expanding the Customer Base

The potential customer base extends beyond emergency services. Any organization with substantial physical assets – including telecommunications companies, power utilities, financial institutions, and retail chains – could benefit from FloodMapp’s predictive capabilities.

The company anticipates increased demand driven by potential SEC mandates for enhanced climate change financial disclosures. This could lead to a significant expansion of their business.

Future Outlook

Murphy acknowledges that FloodMapp is still in its early stages of development. The company plans to seek additional funding early in the following year, following the completion of this year’s flood season and the onboarding of new clients.

Ultimately, the company’s vision is to “not only help people, but help our country change and adapt in the face of a changing climate.”