The city of New Orleans, LA is working with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA), Verizon, and the data tech company, Hyfi to install sensors across the greater New Orleans area that will deliver real-time flooding data to stormwater managers and the public. Hyfi was the winner of Verizon’s Inaugural Climate Resilience Prize competition in 2022.
“Storms don’t discriminate, and with the rising frequency of natural disasters, it’s more important than ever that we work together to save lives and strengthen our systems. I’m proud to support this groundbreaking initiative which brings New Orleans state-of-the-art, cost-effective stormwater sensors, a testament to the power of strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology. This will revolutionize how we predict and respond to flood conditions,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).
Hyfi’s low-cost, wireless, solar-powered water level sensors work with an associated digital platform – the Hyfi app – that can automatically plug into first responders’ maps, better informing them of blocked roadways during emergencies. Currently, responders have to rely on residents reporting rising waters in the streets. The cylindrical devices use a series of ultrasonic sound pulses to detect changes in the distance between the sensor and the closest waterline. The sensor requires only a common hardware bracket for installation, and the Hyfi app includes analytics for continuous quality control, minimizing or eliminating the need for stormwater professionals or emergency responders to manually calibrate the sensor in the field or in the midst of a major weather event.
“Modern technologies significantly lower the barrier to providing timely flood information for stormwater managers and first responders while making storm data more accessible to the public,” said Brandon Wong, CEO of Hyfi. “New Orleans embodies resilience especially and we believe that is thanks in large part to its local officials, its community leaders, and its residents. This partnership promises to equip the city with next-generation tools that we hope will be embraced and leave a sustainable positive impact for generations to come.”
In the program’s first year, Verizon is covering the cost of installation, maintenance and repairs, but then the $1,500 ongoing monitoring cost will have to be covered by the city. Hyfi expects to be able to demonstrate the value of the technology in these first 12 months of the project. The project also aims to integrate data with apps like Waze or Google Maps by next year, enhancing public awareness and response during floods.