Flash floods can strike without warning — this new technology could change that
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On the morning of June 9th, Laura Lin was working from her home in Lanesville, a rural southern Indiana town about 15 miles from the Kentucky border. She was on a Zoom call, unaware that the heavy rain outside was beginning to flood her yard. "I look over to where the barn is over there, […]
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A home office cluttered with technology and paperwork, with a large window showing a flooded backyard and the barn partially submerged.
Caption: Early warning system: 'Looks like you need to move your meeting to a conference room with higher ground.'
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Based on the original story on theverge.com.
Editor's note
This story highlights how essential reliable early warning systems are, especially in flood-prone areas like Lanesville. Laura's experience underscores the importance of technology that could provide timely alerts, potentially saving lives and property.
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Panel 1
*A sunny day in Lanesville. Alex is tinkering with a gadget in his backyard, while Sam looks on skeptically.*
Alex: This gadget will predict floods before they happen! I call it the Flood Alert-o-Matic!
Sam: Great. And it’s powered by what, exactly?
Panel 2
*The rain starts to pour. Alex’s gadget beeps loudly and a message flashes: *
Narrator: FLOOD WARNING!
Alex: See, Sam? It’s already working!
Sam: Yeah, right. Now let’s see it stop the rain.
Panel 3
*The rain continues, but Alex and Sam are standing under a large umbrella. Robin, drenched and laughing, runs into the scene.*
Robin: I tried it out and it flooded my kitchen! It’s like a flash flood simulator!
Alex: But at least it warned you!
Sam: And now it’s just a fancy way to get wet.
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