Question 1

What is FloodMapp’s point of difference?

Accepted Answer

We have created a ground breaking and world-first model for large scale, real-time flood mapping. Purpose built for event response and flood forecasting, FloodMapp’s products support all phases of the emergency management process, enabling situational awareness before, during and after a flood. Our models run 13,700 times faster than industry-standard 2D hydraulic models.  Our models are not subject to the speed-resolution tradeoff experienced with other models, meaning that they can be used at a catchment-wide, state-wide or national scale without having to compromise on resolution.   Other flood mapping consultants or model products are typically generated using a probabilistic flood study approach to generate the ‘1 in 100 year’ or ‘1 in 50 year’ flood inundation extents.  FloodMapp models are able to compute the flood inundation extent in real-time with updates from live sensor data and current rainfall forecasts ingested through our continuous data pipeline feeds.

Question 2

What locations do you provide coverage in?

Accepted Answer

We currently have model coverage in Australia and all states in the USA. If there are other areas of interest, please get in touch and we will do our best to support you as we expand our coverage.

Question 3

How accurate are the models FloodMapp produces?

Accepted Answer

Our rapid hydraulic models typically achieve between 90~96% accuracy (ie. modelled flood extent area compared to observed flood extent).  In Houston, a historical simulation for Hurricane Harvey showed accuracy percentages of 92%, whilst a simulation of the Brisbane 2011 flood event yielded an accuracy of 96%. This means that our Nowcast product is highly accurate.   Our Forecast product also relies on hydrology models, the accuracy of which depends on the accuracy of the rainfall forecasts and the lead time to the event. Our Forecast product typically ranges from 70 - 90% accuracy (accuracy improves the closer it gets to the flood event). Please note that these reflect high accuracies and that a forecast can never be 100% accurate due to the uncertainties involved in meteorological forecasts, hydrological modelling and hydraulic modelling.

Question 4

What elevation dataset does FloodMapp use in your models and what is the resolution?

Accepted Answer

Our base products use the best publicly available elevation data we can access. Our Digital Elevation Models (DEM) utilise LiDAR survey studies where they are available and the National Elevation Dataset (NED) or Shuttle Radar Topography Model (SRTM) where LiDAR survey is not available.  Our LiDAR elevation datasets range from 1m to 5m resolution. The NED is 10m resolution across the continental USA, and the SRTM dataset is 25m resolution Australia-wide. Where higher resolution elevation data is required, we do have high resolution elevation data partners and providers, and we can offer a premium product based on these datasets if required. If our customers have access to suitable additional elevation datasets within their operations, we can incorporate them into our models for a bespoke solution.

Question 5

What flooding events can FloodMapp forecast?

Accepted Answer

Our forecast models incorporate all types of flooding including riverine flooding, flash flooding, tidal and storm surge flooding.

Question 6

How much warning time can your flood models provide before an event occurs?

Accepted Answer

Our models are most accurate typically 24 hours - 4 days* before a flooding event. However, the amount of warning time we are able to provide varies widely and depends on: the type and nature of the flooding,  the location/region,  the size of the catchment in which the flooding occurs availability of data in each location. If there is a particular area of interest, please get in touch and we’d be happy to look at this in more detail for you.

Question 7

What data inputs feed into your flood models?

Accepted Answer

We have many different sources of data which feed into our models. These include rainfall forecasts and real-time rainfall observation data, soil moisture, evaporation, real-time tidal data, real-time water level & stream flow data, topographical elevation data and catchment characteristics.

Question 8

What does the FloodMapp Postcast depth refer to, and is it from ground level?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, the depth is the height above the ground that the water surface has reached. The depth at each point is derived by quantifying the difference between the predicted flood surface height at a certain point, and the underlying Digital Elevation Model (topography) at that point. The accuracy and resolution of our FloodMapp Postcast depth estimates are dependent on the resolution of elevation data used in our DEMs.

Question 9

Is depth available for the FloodMapp Forecast and Nowcast products?

Accepted Answer

Currently, our Forecast and Nowcast products provide an inundation extent only as a live mapping feed. This is intended for safety reasons when results produced from these products are communicated to the general public. All flood forecasts carry a degree of uncertainty and we want to promote conservative behaviour and risk management when a flood is approaching.

If you have a different use case, for example, for commercial reasons, we can look at exposing the depth as well as the inundation extent for the whole product suite. Please get in touch to discuss your bespoke requirements and a quote.

Question 10

What is the highest resolution your models can achieve?

Accepted Answer

We have achieved  up to 15cm of resolution in real-time. However, this is dependent on the quality of elevation data we have access to in what country. Our standard coverage is 5-10m resolution for publicly available data. We also offer premium products using higher resolution elevation data through private data partnerships (up to 50 cm resolution).

Question 11

How do I access my FloodMapp product(s)?

Accepted Answer

We understand each organisation is unique in their current spatial system setup. Typically, we deliver our FloodMapp models via a web feature service or an image server. This can connect with a customer’s native GIS platform such as esri ArcGIS, esri online, Google or Mapbox. We also have a FloodMapp dashboard available to deliver FloodMapp products. This is valuable for customers who don’t have an existing spatial system or are wanting a customer facing platform, whereas the web service is better placed for internal use where customers want to access FloodMapp spatial layers within their native GIS platforms.

Question 12

Are there set up fees involved with your FloodMapp product(s)?

Accepted Answer

We charge implementation fees where a bespoke API integration is required, or where bespoke elements are required on the dashboard. For example, integrating client spatial asset overlays or white-labelling our FloodMapp dashboard. We are happy to provide a quote on a consultation call.

Question 13

How long does it take to set up the FloodMapp products with my organisation?

Accepted Answer

This depends on coverage, integration and products required. We have some locations that are turnkey, and others that may require our engineers to process and calibrate first. It is standard practice for our software to follow a staged rollout so as to mitigate risk for our clients at each implementation step.

Question 14

What format do you provide your FloodMapp products in?

Accepted Answer

We typically provide our products as live mapping data feeds in Geojson, Shape or KML files.  These formats interact with ArcGIS, MapBox, Google Maps, QGIS and most other web-based spatial applications.

Question 15

Do FloodMapp consider strategic partnerships?

Accepted Answer

We have a number of strategic partnerships. We value collaboration in the flood engineering and wider technology community, so please get in touch with us regarding your partnership proposal. In particular, we are interested in the following partnerships: Real-time modelling of perils other than flooding to offer to our clients ie fire, hail, wind. Existing emergency notification systems related to event-based communication to promote effective resilient behaviour that reduces business interruption and increases public safety. High quality data input vendors i.e. large scale high resolution elevation data.

Question 16

How do your models address the floor height challenge?

Accepted Answer

FloodMapp specialises in technical flood modelling and the quality of our flood depth predictions. To provide additional value for our clients, FloodMapp has the ability to partner or integrate with floor height vendors and incorporate analytics to work out resulting flood heights.

Question 17

Do you account for climate change in your models?

Accepted Answer

Yes we do. FloodMapp products are live and modelled on a near-real time basis, meaning that they are reflective of sea level rise and climate change impacts as they occur.

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