Flooding: Why it’s a data problem before it’s a water problem

From housing providers and local councils to major infrastructure operators, the risks are growing rapidly. As per the government’s latest National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA), around 6.3 million properties are already in areas at risk. Even more worrying, by the middle of this century, one in four properties in England could face flooding from rivers, the sea, or surface water.

From flash floods in city centres to record-breaking rainfall, climate change is a critical challenge that authorities and organisations must prepare for. But the question is, how? The answer lies in smarter use of data and AI-driven insights to adopt a proactive approach.

Anticipating the risk

Flooding may seem like an act of nature, but the warning signs appear in the data long before the first drop of rain hits the ground. Real-time risk assessments from the UK Environment Agency, historical flood records, weather patterns, and even maintenance logs provide clear indications about flooding risks.
The real challenge is these datasets are often stuck in silos or only analysed after the damage is done. This results in lost lead time and damage that could have been minimised. In other words, flooding is just as much a data problem as it is a water problem.

For public sector bodies and businesses alike, treating flooding as a data challenge can make a significant difference. The earlier authorities can identify patterns and anticipate risk, the more effectively they can protect communities, assets, and people.

By partnering with technology experts like Cybit, public sector bodies can transform business intelligence with AI and data solutions. This can help them make faster and more informed decisions – enabling them to act productively and minimise risks.

 

How AI changes the game

To utilise existing datasets to their full potential, organisations need to use the power of AI. With advanced algorithms, they can combine satellite imagery, soil saturation levels, real-time weather forecasts, and live flood alerts to run predictive models that flag risks as they emerge.

Real-time alerts enable organisations to act before floods arrive, while historical and seasonal data highlight long-term high-risk zones. At the same time, infrastructure intelligence such as blocked drains or past repair logs can help authorities prioritise maintenance in vulnerable areas. Adding crowdsourced reporting tools can provide hyper-local early warnings from communities themselves, creating a richer, more proactive picture of the risk.

Together, these insights can help authorities shift from reactive approach to proactive strategies by moving move risk management from “what happened” reporting to “what will happen” foresight.

 

ESG, insurance, and business resilience

The value of smarter flood insights goes far beyond emergency response. More accurate and timely data can enable businesses and insurers to refine their risk models.
Organisations can justify proactive investments in pumps, barriers, and drainage improvements. They can also demonstrate to stakeholders a clear commitment to sustainability and resilience, as well as better negotiate with insurers by evidencing reduced exposure, potentially lowering premiums.

Ultimately, it’s not about creating new datasets but connecting the existing ones to unlock foresight and protect both people and property.

The takeaway

Flood risk isn’t only an environmental issue. It’s an operational, financial, and reputational challenge too. By bringing together and analysing the fragmented and underused data, authorities can better prepare for flood risks. Using AI-powered insights, authorities can move from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience.

For government, infrastructure, and businesses alike, the message is clear: data-driven foresight is the key to staying one step ahead of floods and safeguarding the future. By teaming up with data experts like Cybit, authorities can utilise existing datasets and generate meaningful insights, enabling better forecasting and risk management.

 

About Rob Hankin

Rob Hankin (CTO) has 25 years of IT leadership, including a decade in a multi-national manufacturing environment. Over the past 15 years, Rob has worked with leading technologies, vendors, and distributors including Microsoft and AWS. He leads Cybit’s technology partnerships, supporting private and public sector customers across the globe. Rob’s expertise is highly valued by key industry players, where he has served on Partner Advisory Councils and Product Advisory teams. As a trusted advisor, he helps organisations from small enterprises to global industry leaders unlock opportunities through technology.