DHS S&T seeks to bolster flood preparedness, response efforts

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has issued a Flood Data Collection & Analysis solicitation to aid flood preparedness and response efforts.

The solicitation via the agency’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) seeks technology capable of delivering real-time information regarding where and how deep flood water is, how long it lasts, and the amount of structural damage.

“With reliable sources of real-time flood data, DHS can improve its forecasting capabilities and aid programs designed to mitigate against future losses,” Managing Director of S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) Melissa Oh said. “These innovations could allow for a higher level of accuracy in analyzing data and determining impact without the need for physical inspections.”

A virtual Industry Day for technology developers and vendors is slated for March 31, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Pacific) to discuss solicitation and operational needs.

“FEMA is pleased to work with S&T through their SVIP program,” FEMA Assistant Administrator for Federal Insurance Paul Huang said. “We look forward to exploring cutting-edge technologies and looking into innovative ways to help our agency and the National Flood Insurance Program meet one of its operational needs of having real-time data and analysis on a variety of flooding scenarios. These efforts can help our teams better support disaster survivors and advance our goals of building a climate-resilient nation and posturing FEMA to meet current and emergent threats. Programs like this have the power to reduce disaster suffering.”