Google’s flood forecasting AI platform 'Flood Hub' is now available in 80 countries.
It can predict floods up to 7 days in advance
Google's flood forecasting technology, called Flood Hub, is now available in 80 countries covering 460 million people. This expansion means more lives can potentially be saved through early flood warnings.
The Flood Hub system uses artificial intelligence and public data to predict floods up to 7 days in advance. This is an improvement over last year when warnings were only available 48 hours before floods.
The AI system combines two models. The first model forecasts river flow. The second model predicts what areas will flood and how deep the water will be.
Governments, charities, and individuals can use Flood Hub to prepare for incoming floods. This could mean evacuating people, moving possessions to higher ground, or stocking up on supplies.
Google says it partners with organizations on the ground to make sure flood warnings also reach people without internet access. Local volunteers alert communities in person when flood forecasts indicate an imminent threat. This human element has been shown to improve warning reception by 50%.
Google's goal is to improve its AI models over time to provide more accurate and further ahead flood warnings. This will help minimize the damage from floods, which already impact over 250 million people annually.