Department of Homeland Security Features AWAREFlood in New Video
Department of Homeland Security Features AWAREFlood in New Video In 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T)collaborated with Intellisense Systems, Inc. to design, develop and test a network of inexpensive,readily-deployable inundation sensors to respond to the increasing risks of flooding. Flooding isnow the nation’s leading natural disaster in terms of property damage and loss of life. Over the last30 years, floods have accounted for $8.2 billion in damages and 105 fatalities every year. Much ofthis devastation can be allayed by deployable flood sensors with Internet of Things (IoT) technologythat monitor flood-prone areas in real time and rapidly alert first-responders, city officials, andcitizens to flooding events.Now the DHS S&T has released a video promoting the benefits of flood sensor technology likeIntellisense’s AWARE Flood System. It highlights the system’s relative accuracy within a 1/2 inch ofwater level, as well as its ability to detect minimal water level rise. These capabilities allowemergency managers to monitor and quickly respond to urban flash flooding, coastal zone tidalsurge, dam and reservoir height fluctuations, and other flood hazard events. The video demonstrates that proven and dependable low-cost flood inundation sensors can offer flood hazardmonitoring, alerts warnings, and notifications to communities, giving officials and citizens the timeneeded to respond to fast-moving flooding events. The video also features testimonies from community leaders and officials who have benefited fromthe AWARE Flood System. “The accuracy of the low-cost sensors exceeded expectations forreliability and accuracy when compared to the USGS stream gauge data,” said a project managerfrom the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Storm Weather Services. A Flood WarningSystem Manager in Howard County, Maryland added, “After major flooding events in both 2016and 2018, our participation in the flood sensor project helped us refine our models and help usbetter understand areas that could be impacted.” Finally, an Assistant Manager at the KentuckyDivision of Water (KY DOW) affirmed that, “The accuracy requirements for the KY DOW DamSafety Program were completely met by the low-cost flood sensors.” In addition to this video, the DHS S&T also published a performance analysis of the AWARE FloodSystem after a two-year deployment. The system met and in many cases exceeded the needs of thelocal storm weather services with water level measurements that nearly matched the existing andmore expensive USGS flood gauges. The DHS S&T ultimately concludes these cost-effective andinnovative technologies are invaluable to helping protect property, improve community resilienceto flooding, and – most importantly – save lives.