Brooklyn College and NYC officials unveil FloodNet urban flood monitoring project

The Brooklyn Borough Board meeting on April 1, 2025, featured a significant presentation on the FloodNet project, aimed at enhancing urban flood monitoring in New York City. The initiative is a collaboration involving multiple institutions, including Brooklyn College, the Advanced Science and Research Center, and NYU's Tandon School, alongside the mayor's office of climate and environmental justice.

Brett Franco, director of the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay and one of the principal investigators for FloodNet, introduced the project. He was joined by Polly Peroni, the project manager, and Hailey Elvas from the mayor's office. The team emphasized the importance of their work in addressing urban flooding, a pressing issue for many communities in the city.

During the presentation, the FloodNet team outlined their mission, which includes deploying sensors to monitor flood conditions and developing data-sharing tools that are accessible to the public. They also highlighted their efforts in community engagement, aiming to raise awareness about urban flooding and the data collected through their project.

The meeting underscored the collaborative nature of FloodNet, which seeks to leverage academic research and municipal resources to improve urban resilience against flooding. As climate change continues to pose challenges for urban areas, initiatives like FloodNet are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events.

The presentation concluded with an invitation for community members to engage with the project, signaling a commitment to transparency and public involvement in addressing environmental challenges. The FloodNet project represents a proactive approach to urban planning and climate adaptation in Brooklyn and beyond.