When Mother Nature speaks, she makes her voice heard. Floods previously regarded as 100-year events are now happening as often as every five to 10 years. In the US alone, USD 850 billion in flood damage has been reported since 2000, and this number is expected to rise by 26 per cent by 2050.

“Urban flooding causes the greatest economic harm to society of any natural disaster, and it will only get worse. Climate change has been tearing cities apart, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” states Torland.

FloodCube Realtime uses weather data to predict flooding within the next 12 to 72 hours. The AI-powered solution provides actionable insights so that quick action can be taken to reduce flood damage.

“Real-time monitoring and accurate prediction are key to tackling the higher risk of urban flooding, protecting the environment and ultimately saving lives,” explains Torland.

Businesses can use the information to protect their operations or reroute employees and supplies in advance of a flood, while municipalities can take emergency measures to secure the safety of residents and infrastructure.

Homeowners benefit as well. “A weather forecast tells you how much rain you can expect in the coming days. But what if you turn that information into how much water may accumulate at your doorstep tomorrow morning?” he adds.

FloodCube Realtime spares humans from potential injury, death and economic loss, while reducing damage to housing and infrastructure. “Flooding is the costliest type of natural disaster,” says Torland. With FloodCube, damage can be reduced by up to 90 per cent, saving millions of dollars in losses.

Early warning can also help to prevent direct and indirect harm to the environment, including areas of high biodiversity value.

Moreover, FloodCube can minimise carbon emissions from future construction. “Fewer buildings will need to be rebuilt or repaired, which is very demanding on the climate,” explains Torland.

The market for FloodCube Realtime spans the globe, anywhere there is a flood risk. Having built a robust platform in the Nordics, 7Analytics is now seeking to expand internationally, especially in the US.

Its focus is on large organisations with substantial physical assets in urban areas at risk of flooding. In May 2023, 7Analytics and StormGeo, a Norwegian weather intelligence company, secured their first commercial partnership with TotalEnergies in Houston, Texas, to provide 24/7 flood risk monitoring.

“This is a major technological innovation and a huge market leap for us,” states Torland.

FloodCube Realtime is the latest solution in the 7A Platform. Other solutions include FloodCube Planning, which supports real estate developers and urban planners, among others, in long-term planning to prevent future flooding and flood damage.

The US partnership is a great steppingstone for global impact. “A solution like ours is needed in every country throughout the world – because heavy rainfall and urban flooding affect us all,” concludes Torland.

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