As rain begins to drench the streets of New Orleans, residents now have a new tool to better navigate the city's flood-prone areas. The City of New Orleans, in collaboration with United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Verizon, has integrated Hyfi flood sensor data onto Streetwise. This tech upgrade is set to provide real-time flood level information during storms, a move aimed to bolster community safety.
In its initial phase, New Orleans installed 27 Hyfi sensors, which are intended to let stormwater professionals and emergency respondents to quickly become aware of flooding hotspots. With the new integration, the Streetwise platform will now trigger flood alerts based firmly on sensor readings, allowing to more accurately inform the public, rather than leaning solely on citizen reports made to New Orleans 911.
The integration was recently highlighted on the City of New Orleans official website, where NOHSEP Director Collin Arnold emphasized the value of timeliness and accuracy in emergency scenarios, stating, "It is crucial that our emergency responders and residents have access to the timely information that’s needed to make informed decisions."
Meanwhile, Austin Feldbaum, NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Director, highlighted the additional benefits of the sensor data, which is expected to help professionals to better monitor and respond to urban flooding. "The data from this effort will also support understanding the causes of flooding and planning to reduce future flood risk," Feldbaum told the City of New Orleans news portal.
Floods have habitually tested the resilience of New Orleans, disproportionately impacting the city's ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. UWSELA President and CEO, Michael Williamson, expressed the benefits this technology brings to such communities, stating, "This resource empowers residents to make informed decisions that can prevent devastating losses, keeping their families safer and their finances more secure." Verizon's role extends beyond simply partnering; the company's Climate Resilience Prize enabled the innovative steps being taken by Hyfi to protect against severe weather impacts, as per the City of New Orleans.
These efforts represent a commitment to public safety and preparedness in an era where climate events have grown both in frequency and intensity. As New Orleans continues to confront these climatic challenges, technological partnerships offer a beacon of hope, redefining what it means to not just survive, but to adapt and thrive.
