Climate Connections Flood sensors help NYC residents stay out of dangerous waters
Dec 10, 2025
Andrea Silverman, a faculty member at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, leads the FloodNet project, which installs solar-powered sensors across New York City to monitor flood-prone areas. She discusses how these sensors help identify critical locations vulnerable to flooding and assist emergency services in planning responses. Silverman explains the collaboration with residents and city agencies to tackle flooding effectively, directing resources where they are most needed during storms and high tides.
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High-Resolution Flood Mapping
- FloodNet installed ~300 sensors across NYC to monitor street flooding in real time.
- The sensors reveal exactly where flooding occurs so cities can target prevention projects.
Check Sensors Before You Travel
- Check the public FloodNet dashboard to see which roads are flooded before you travel.
- Use real-time sensor data to decide if a route is accessible or if you should wait.
Use Data To Speed Emergency Response
- Emergency services should use FloodNet data to speed flood response efforts.
- Align sensor-informed priorities with city flood-prevention planning to maximize impact.