By Greg Mantell
A proposed solution from Intellisense will integrate flash flood information from the
proven and reliable AWARE Flood System with mobile navigation apps that are used
worldwide.
The AWARE Flood System is an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based flood detection system that has
proven to be invaluable for communities across the United States. Since it was first deployed in
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 2019, it has transmitted water-level data to city officials
and first responders via propriety networks like Mecklenburg County’s Flood Information and
Notification System (FINS) or the Southeast Texas Regional Alerting and Information Network
(R.A.I.N.). Soon though, the AWARE Flood System could provide this data right to people’s phones
through mobile navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps.
With funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the
Department of Homeland Security’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program,
Intellisense won a contract to develop a system that would disseminate real-time flash flood
information to communities via mobile apps. With data from the AWARE Flood System, apps that
use real-time traffic information can suggest new routes and direct users around these hazards.
This system will ingest data from the AWARE Flood System and automatically generate alerts in
flooded areas. It will also disseminate hazard data to FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning
System (IPAWS), which then issues alerts via radio and TV, as well as sends push notifications
directly to mobile phones in the affected area.
This proposed solution aligns with NOAA’s mission to prepare the nation for extreme weather, with
objectives geared toward reducing loss of life, property, and disruption from high-impact events.
The organization seeks to improve transportation efficiency and safety when exposed to sudden
hazards like flooding. These improvements should improve the travel experiences for millions of
Americans and remedy potential supply chain obstacles.
The AWARE Flood System collects, processes, and transmits data from a single, wireless unit that
can be installed or mounted on nearly any existing infrastructure. Thanks to its IoT connectivity,
the system can readily integrate with proprietary or regional networks in cities across the United
States. The engineers at Intellisense are now devising ways to get that information directly into
people’s hands around the world.
See how the AWARE Flood System can improve your flood preparedness, and learn
more about NOAA’s flood safety resources here at Weather.gov.