AI in Flood Prediction: Helping Communities Stay Ahead of Disasters

Image: Flood Prediction AI

The global risk of flooding is increasing, with 1.81 billion people now facing significant flood risk. Climate change is making floods more likely and severe, with the United Nations warning that the risk of coastal flooding will increase fivefold this century. To help reduce the impact of flooding, several flood monitoring firms are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and alert communities before the waters rise.

One such company, 7Analytics, is based in Bergen, Norway, and offers real-time flooding predictions to businesses and local authorities. Their AI software studies weather forecasts, geography, and urban infrastructure to predict flooding up to seven days in advance. This data helps communities prepare for potential floods and take necessary precautions.

Another company, Neara, is based in London and focuses on creating digital flood simulations for the electricity infrastructure industry. Their AI technology predicts how floods will unfold, allowing power networks to prepare and minimize damage.

Google is also providing free river flood warnings in over 80 countries through its Flood Hub platform. This service uses satellite images to create digital maps of rivers and their surrounding areas. AI software then simulates how and when rivers could flood after heavy rainfall, providing warnings between two and seven days in advance.

While these companies charge for their services, Google’s Flood Hub is available for free worldwide. In India, Flood Hub sends 45 million people flood alerts via text message, while in Chile, TV stations share the warnings.

However, there is a need for caution when it comes to the underlying data that AI models rely on. Dr. Amy McGovern, a computer scientist at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology, emphasizes the importance of having accurate data for AI models to work effectively. She also highlights the need for responsible and ethical AI development, ensuring that biases in data are addressed.

Despite these challenges, AI is proving to be a valuable tool in flood prediction, as it can quickly process large amounts of data and provide more accurate predictions. Google’s Yossi Matias, vice president of engineering and research and crisis response lead at Google, envisions a future where AI can help prevent flood-related disasters by providing timely and accurate warnings to communities.

In conclusion, AI is playing a crucial role in flood prediction, helping communities stay ahead of disasters and minimize the impact of flooding. As AI technology continues to advance, it has the potential to save lives and reduce damages caused by floods worldwide.