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How Emergency Managers Can Use EMPG Funding to Improve Flood Preparedness

  • ellie5895
  • Jul 30
  • 3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

When disaster strikes, seconds matter; for emergency managers on the front lines, having access to the right information at the right time can make all the difference. That’s why the reopening of the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program presents a powerful opportunity: to invest in the tools that help your team stay one step ahead of the next flood.


Read the Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin, dated July 29, 2025, to see the allocation for your state.


What Is the EMPG Program?

The EMPG provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management agencies to help build and sustain core capabilities. That includes technology and software solutions that enhance preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery for threats and hazards, such as flooding, that pose the greatest risk to national security.


And yes, that includes flood forecast and early warning tools like FloodMapp ForeCast.


This year’s tight funding window offers a chance to address one of the most urgent and escalating threats to public safety: flooding. With climate-driven rainfall intensifying across the U.S., communities face more frequent and more severe flash flood events—many with little warning.


Why FloodMapp ForeCast Is a Smart EMPG Investment

FloodMapp’s impact-based ForeCast technology provides predicted flood extent, depth, and impact as a live mapping feed designed to help emergency managers plan and act before floodwaters rise. Plus, it is delivered directly to your geographic information system (GIS) environment and alerting system.


EMPG Funds Can Cover the following preparedness activities and technology:

  • Logistics Planning

  • Evacuation Planning

  • Disaster Housing Planning

  • Pre-disaster Recovery Plans

  • Training and Exercises

  • Maintenance and Sustainment: supports the purchase of equipment aligned with the five mission areas contained within the goal


Mapping Out Your Project: Implementing a Flood Forecast and Alerting System to Enhance Emergency Preparedness

A project to deploy a flood early warning system supports the EMPG Program Goal to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from the threat of flooding, a leading threat to national security.


Using advanced hydrology, AI, machine learning, and local data, ForeCast delivers street-level flood predictions up to 6 days in advance, making it easier to:

  • Identify evacuation routes and potential closures

  • Alert residents in high-risk areas sooner

  • Implement a flood alerting system to issue localized, tailored alerts

  • Pre-position response teams and resources

  • Coordinate with partner agencies in a shared operating picture

  • Reduce overall risk to life and property

  • Train your team on proactively monitoring impending flood threats as rain events approach

  • Activate your EOC ahead of flood disasters and maintain situational awareness as a flood unfolds

  • Train your team on best practices when writing emergency flood alerts


Whether you're mapping out an evacuation strategy or setting up a pre-disaster alerting system, ForeCast can help your team build confidence in your decisions, even when conditions change quickly.


EMPG Authorized Equipment List

EMPG funds can be used to support IT and software investments (Category 4 on the Authorized Equipment List) that enhance preparedness and operational coordination.


How to build your proposal:

To apply for funding to cover flood early warning systems, use the table below to help you:


  • Map out the requirements for your flood early warning system.

  • Identify the IT components that are included on the Authorized Equipment List and are eligible for EPMG funding.

  • Identify some example products that might make up the components of your system.


We can support your agency with grant justification materials. Please connect with our team if you need support.


Categories 

Sub-Categories 

Examples

AP - Application Systems and Software 

 

Computer-Aided Dispatch, Position Locating Systems, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Risk Management Software, Incident Management, Analytical Tools, Inventory, Simulation, Notification and Warning Systems, Emergency Medical Communication, SAAS 

Esri ArcGIS Online  FloodMapp ForeCast, NowCast, or PostCast 

FloodMapp  

 

Genasys Protect 

 


HW - Hardware 

 

Computers, Peripherals, Networking Components, Miscellaneous Adapter Cables / Connections 

 

FloodMapp ForeCast, NowCast, or PostCast 

AI - Artificial Intelligence 

 

Artificial Intelligence Applications 

 

FloodMapp ForeCast, NowCast, or PostCast 

SN - Sensor Devices 

 

Remote Sensors 

 

Low-cost flood sensors to fill gaps in ungauged tributaries and support flash flood warning—can be integrated with FloodMapp ForeCast. 



You’re Not Alone in Facing These Risks

FloodMapp works with emergency managers across the country who are tackling similar challenges: tight budgets, growing responsibilities, and increased pressure to act fast when a flood event develops. We’re here to support you, not just with technology, but with guidance and insights that can help your team succeed.


If your agency is considering EMPG funding this year, let’s connect. We’d love to share examples, success stories, and resources to help you build a stronger, safer flood plan for your community.


We’re here to help you secure funding to build preparedness and enhance public safety.



 
 
 

1 Comment


Adam Tony
Adam Tony
Aug 04

This article makes a compelling case for leveraging EMPG funding to invest in flood forecasting Buckshot Roulette technology like FloodMapp ForeCast, especially as climate-related flood risks intensify. It’s a smart, forward-thinking approach that not only supports emergency preparedness but also enhances community resilience through data-driven decision-making.

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