Google's AI-Powered Flood Hub expands to 60 more countries to track flooding threats

Google's AI-powered Flood Hub disaster alert system is expanding its reach to provide support in tracking flooding threats in 60 additional countries. Initially launched last year to notify individuals about impending floods, Flood Hub is now available in a total of 80 countries worldwide. This advanced system relies on an AI model trained on extensive data from multiple drainage basins, enabling it to issue warnings up to a week in advance.

Originally designed to warn people in India and Bangladesh, Flood Hub has now expanded its coverage to include regions across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South and Central America. This expansion has the potential to impact approximately 460 million individuals residing in flood-prone areas. Currently, Google's Flood Hub system monitors over 1,800 locations situated along river basins, ensuring comprehensive flood detection and alert capabilities.

Google's ultimate objective is to make Flood Hub's valuable information accessible through its Google Search and Google Maps platforms, enhancing accessibility during times of crisis. While Flood Hub presently focuses on tracking riverine floods, Google recognizes the need for further improvement to incorporate flash floods and coastal events into its system. Furthermore, Google's AI technology, along with satellite imagery, is also utilized to monitor wildfires and promptly alert individuals in imminent danger. Presently operational in Mexico, the United States, Canada, and select regions of Australia, the wildfire tracking system serves as a vital tool in safeguarding vulnerable communities.

By expanding Flood Hub's coverage and integrating it with its widely-used Search and Maps platforms, Google continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging AI and advanced technologies to enhance disaster preparedness and response worldwide.