Chicago’s Flood-Prone Properties and the New App Aiming to Help
The city of Chicago has the highest number of unreported flood-prone properties in the U.S. according to data from the New York Times, but a new app aims to help neighborhoods become more resilient. This is a major concern for the city, as flooding events occur with startling regularity in the upper Midwest.
The Problem of Urban Flooding in Chicago
According to the report, more than 75,000 properties have a previously undisclosed flood risk. The startling report took the number of properties that FEMA considered to be “at-risk,” which comprise just 0.3% of the city’s properties, and compared it to data obtained by the First Street Foundation, which puts the number at nearly 13%. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more accurate and reliable system for identifying and mitigating flood risks.
The New App and Sensor Network
Verizon is teaming up with tech startup Hyfi and several community organizations to install 50 flood sensors throughout the city. The goal of this project is to create a network of sensors that can monitor water levels and provide real-time data to first responders and city officials. This will enable them to respond more quickly and effectively to flooding events, and ultimately help to keep residents safer.
Community Involvement and Input
“We need actionable information, not guesses,” said Nedra Sims Fears, executive director of the Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI). Fears, who grew up in the city’s Chatham neighborhood, is all too familiar with flooding and the devastating consequences. “In my childhood home, we had four floods, two of which resulted in electrical fires,” Fears said. GCI is one of several community organizations tapped to identify flood-prone areas in the city.
“They wanted to make sure that it was not top down deciding where sensors should be,” said Fears. This approach ensures that the needs and concerns of local communities are taken into account, and that the sensor network is deployed in a way that is most effective for them.
How the Sensor Network Works
Urban flooding happens when a sewer system can’t cope with heavy rain during a storm, and it’s a major problem in Chicago. Some neighborhoods are more at risk than others. According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), just 13 ZIP codes represent three-fourths of the flood damage claims paid in Chicago between 2007 and 2016.
“We believe people who have been most hurt by systems should be at the table fixing those systems,” said Nina Idemudia, the CEO at CNT. “Long term it’s a project about how we collect and use people’s data to actually solve problems.” The sensor network monitors water levels to help first responders identify where flooding is happening and notify residents faster.
“This sensor is totally wireless, it doesn’t touch the water,” said Hyfi cofounder Brandon Wong. “Like a bat, it uses sonar to detect where the water level is. It uses Verizon’s network to connect all these sensors together to detect where flooding is happening at any given time, at a moment’s notice.” The sensors are wrapped in a solar panel to charge and can withstand heavy wind, rain, hail and ice, according to Wong.
Implementation and Future Plans
Chicago is the second test city for the program, which launched in New Orleans last year. “Hurricane Francine came through about a month after we did, and city officials really raved about how helpful the sensors were to helping them have a more effective, targeted and swift response to the flood,” said Donna Epps, the chief responsible business officer for Verizon.
Verizon is funding the project. So far, 10 of the 50 sensors have been installed in Chicago, with full installation expected by the end of the year. For now, first responders and city officials receive the real-time data. In the future, the goal is to create an app that will deliver that information directly to residents, enabling them to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their properties.
Conclusion
The new app and sensor network have the potential to make a significant impact in reducing the risk of flooding in Chicago. By providing real-time data and enabling more effective responses to flooding events, this technology can help to keep residents safer and reduce the economic and environmental impacts of flooding. As the project continues to roll out, it will be important to monitor its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it is meeting its goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the problem of urban flooding in Chicago?
A: Urban flooding happens when a sewer system can’t cope with heavy rain during a storm, and it’s a major problem in Chicago. Some neighborhoods are more at risk than others, with just 13 ZIP codes representing three-fourths of the flood damage claims paid in Chicago between 2007 and 2016.
Q: How does the new sensor network work?
A: The sensor network monitors water levels to help first responders identify where flooding is happening and notify residents faster. The sensors are totally wireless, use sonar to detect water levels, and are connected through Verizon’s network.
Q: Who is involved in the project?
A: Verizon is teaming up with tech startup Hyfi and several community organizations, including the Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI) and the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), to install 50 flood sensors throughout the city.
Q: What are the future plans for the project?
A: The goal is to create an app that will deliver real-time data directly to residents, enabling them to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their properties. Full installation of the 50 sensors is expected by the end of the year.
