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Homeland ~ Security 

Science and Technology 

Stakeholder Feedback: Low-Cost 

Internet of Things (IOT) Flood 

Inundation Sensors 

EARLY WARNING FLOOD SENSORS 

Flooding is the nation’s leading natural disaster, resulting 

in catastrophic loss of life, property damage and economic 

impact. Over the past 30 years, flooding is estimated to 

have cost more than $8.2 billion in damages and averaged 

more than 105 fatalities per year. Some of this devastation 

could be prevented with deployable Internet of Things (IoT) 

technology, which monitors flood-prone areas in real time 

for rapid detection to alert officials, industry and citizens to 

potential threats. 

GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY MEETING 

COMMUNITY NEEDS 

During the last four years, the Department of Homeland 

Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate 

(S&T) worked with companies that were awarded Small 

Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funds to design, 

develop and test a network of inexpensive, deployable 

flood inundation sensors. The sensors were part of a 

scalable, wireless network that rapidly measures rising 

water and can report flood conditions back to operations 

centers, first responders and citizens. 

STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK FROM THE LOWCOST IOT FLOOD INUNDATION SENSORS 

In August 2020, five stakeholders held a group 

teleconference to discuss their experiences using the flood 

sensors, as well as their path forward for future monitoring. 

The following are some of their observations: 

“The low-cost sensors exceeded expectations for reliability 

and accuracy when compared to U.S. Geological Survey 

stream gauge data. To reduce loss of life, CharlotteMecklenburg Storm Water Services is accelerating their 

use of low-cost flood sensors for public notification of 

roadway and structure flooding.” 

—Josh McSwain, Project Manager, CharlotteMecklenburg Storm Water Services, Charlotte, NC 

“Norfolk’s coastal environment impacts roadways with 

tidal flooding in a city whose elevation is generally 0 to 10 

feet above see level. Norfolk is exploring the use of lowcost flood sensors with a goal for integration with real 

time traffic alerts (i.e., WAZE). We are encouraged that 

DHS S&T is working on commercialization efforts to drive 

unit prices down.” 

—Kyle Spencer, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer, 

City of Norfolk, VA 

“After major flooding events in 2016 and 2018, our 

participation in the flood sensor project helped us refine 

our models to better understand areas that could be 

impacted. Additionally, the data has been useful in 

establishing and evaluating micro-climate forecast 

modeling, which we continue to develop with NASA, as 

an advisory warning tool during flash flood-type events.” 

—Brian Cleary, Capitol Project and Flood Warning 

System Manager, Howard County, MD 

“The accuracy requirements for the Kentucky Division of 

Water Dam Safety Program were completely met by the 

low-cost flood sensors. The data integration with 

Contrail® will allow for enhanced monitoring capabilities 

at remote sites where most non-federal, high-hazard 

dams regulated by Kentucky do not have advanced 

monitoring and warning systems.” 

—Carey Johnson, Assistant Director, Kentucky 

Division of Water, Frankfort, KY 

“The low-cost flood sensors are beneficial for towns and 

counties to monitor flooding and assist with mitigation of 

flood risks. We look forward to expanding the “Adopt A 

Gauge” program, whereby local governments and civic 

groups keep an eye on the gauges and help check for 

issues.” 

—Gary Thompson, Deputy. Risk Management Chief, 

NC Emergency Management, Raleigh, NC 

Contact Us: SPTechnologyCenter@hq.dhs.gov scitech.dhs.gov dhsscitech 

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