When water becomes a hazard : A common operating picture helps keep everyone on the same page

摘要

Keeping everyone on the same page is the prime objective of the recent implementation of a Common Operating Picture (COP) for the Flood Early Warning System, City of Austin, Texas. The city is located in 'Flash Flood Alley', where frequent heavy rainfall intersects the natural and built watershed environment. More effective operations and emergency response is aided by bringing together information about the distribution of rainfall-runoff and flood inundation. The complexity of diverse information sources needed for flood management demands a high level of integration and support. Knowing where and when a stream will overtop its banks, or if road intersections are forecast to flood makes early warning possible and helps protect citizens and property from flood hazards. Technological innovations leverage cloud-based integration assembles streamflow, rain gauge and radar rainfall, computer-aided dispatch and 311 tweets, high-resolution flood forecasting, and inundation mapping. Detailed predictive flood inundation information can help focus emergency response to areas where a flood is expected, and when maximum flood stage may occur. This information continues to be powerful immediately after the flood and supports preliminary damage assessment.