By: Harrison Wang, US Ignite Intern and Cornell University Student
Edited by: Lizzette Arias, Communications Manager, US Ignite
Working with communities across the nation, US Ignite often hears about the significant impact environmental disasters and extreme weather events have on residents and communities. Specifically, flooding continues to present risks and costs that are expected to grow significantly in the years to come. Currently, flooding costs almost every state over $50 million annually. Additionally, flooding is the second leading cause of weather-related deaths nationally and causes ~$32 billion in damage annually.
The July 2025 floods in Texas serve as a stark reminder that communities must continue to improve their technology and policies in preparation for future environmental challenges. This post will examine not only the challenges Texas faced, but also new approaches to flood management that all communities can consider.
What Went Wrong and What’s Possible: Technology Solutions for Texas Flood Management
The Texas floods exposed critical gaps in flood management infrastructure. Multiple system failures, such as outdated flood monitoring equipment and poorly integrated emergency alert systems, contributed to the challenges emergency responders faced. In the Guadalupe River region, 65% of areas lacked proper mapping to assess flood risks and needs. The creation of an early warning system and drainage system repairs were also ignored. A definitive flooding plan was published in 2024 after significant canvassing in local communities, but it did not get implemented. This plan outlined proposed budgets and recommendations targeted at communities heavily affected by floods, including those directly impacted.
A breakdown in communication between critical agencies and local communities hindered coordination between different levels of government. These communication failures could be overcome through smarter, more interconnected systems that leverage modern technologies. Here are three emerging technologies that can transform flood management operations – from AI-powered maps to integrated communications.
Detailed Mapping and Planning with AI
Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) can facilitate flood prediction and emergency planning. AI-powered systems can collect meteorological data, historical flood patterns, and satellite imagery to create detailed flood maps that inform future policy. For example, US Ignite’s Smart Bases created an application for Fort Carson that leveraged AI to offer real-time operational recommendations based on weather conditions and traffic data.
Fortunately, in Texas, work to integrate AI into preparedness planning has also begun. A University of Arizona professor received a grant in 2024 to collaborate with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and community-based organizations in the Rio Grande Valley on using machine learning and satellite data to create maps and a flood database that showcased the disproportional effects of flooding on communities of color. These kinds of AI-powered visualizations could inform climate justice lawsuits and help gain more equitable flood response practices.
Drone Technology for Rescue Assessment
As seen with the Texas floods, rescues are often delayed due to hazards such as rising water levels and fallen debris. These can result in life-threatening delays. Continued heavy rain can also significantly hinder rescue efforts even after the main flood event passes.
A crucial tool to help complete rapid aerial assessments are drones. Using these high-tech tools does not risk the lives of rescue workers as they survey the area with a variety of cameras and sensors. Using multiple drones to survey a large area can even be far more efficient than relying on a helicopter. The real-time footage captured by the drones enables emergency responders to identify stranded individuals and potential obstacles. The drones’ rapid deployment ensures that less time is dedicated to the initial search for stranded individuals.
After Hurricane Helene, Asheville, NC, effectively leveraged drones in 2024. The responders used drones to map the affected areas quickly, as well as to provide key information such as infrastructure damage to first responders.
Smart Flooding Infrastructure
Urban areas with multiple impervious surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, would benefit significantly from smart stormwater management systems. These systems can reduce flooding and improve the ground’s water absorption. By utilizing IoT devices such as smart monitoring sensors and automated gates, stormwater can be collected and redirected efficiently before it accumulates into a flood. This also has the added benefit of reusing the stored water for irrigation during dry periods.
Additionally, when combined with other water management systems, like a sewage management system, water can be recycled and conserved. An example of this comes from Kansas City, MO, which implemented both a smart sewage management system and a smart stormwater management system. These innovations are expected to significantly reduce sewer overflows by more than 75% while also delivering substantial cost savings. While this technology can serve urban areas much better due to their vulnerability to heavy rainfall with impervious surfaces, it is also relevant in rural areas, where a reliable water supply can be very beneficial to agriculture.
Properly Addressing Flooding Risks
Advanced technology is only part of the solution to transform flood management approaches. Policy changes and infrastructure updates are equally important in preventing and mitigating natural disasters.
We compiled a white paper highlighting both policies and best practices that work and real-world examples of municipalities that have successfully integrated advanced tools, forward-thinking regulations, and community-driven planning into their flood resilience strategies.
If you are interested in discussing or learning more, the US Ignite Communities team is ready to help any community leader interested in diving deeper on flood preparedness or other infrastructure planning topics. Send a message with your questions, comments, and thoughts to [email protected].