Science & Space
NOAA Flood Mapping Now Reaches Nearly Every U.S. Resident
NOAA expanded its experimental flood inundation mapping service from 60% to nearly 100% of the U.S. population.
What happened
NOAA’s National Weather Service expanded its experimental Flood Inundation Mapping service to nearly 100% of U.S. residents, up from 60% previously. The tool forecasts where river and stream flooding may spread in the following days, showing potential impacts at neighbourhood scale across 3.3 million river miles. Coverage excludes parts of Alaska and several Pacific territories.
Why it matters
Emergency managers, forecasters, medical facilities and the public gain detailed flood-impact information beyond river crest heights, supporting evacuations, road closures and other protective decisions.
Source: NOAA News