Community-Oriented Data Integration and Communication Framework for Streamflow Forecast Models and Flood Inundation Map Products

Kento Sugiyama, Carlos Erazo Ramirez , Ibrahim Demir

Access to critical flood risk information is often limited by expert-driven workflows that require specialized software, creating a barrier to stakeholder engagement and effective science communication. This study presents a generalized web-based framework that integrates federal datasets to support real-time, scenario-based flood forecasting and mapping across the continental United States. By leveraging state-of-the-art client-side technologies, including WebAssembly, Web Workers, and IndexedDB, we developed an on-demand geoprocessing framework that generates flood inundation maps directly in the browser. Flood maps can be generated from National Water Model forecast outputs and Office of Water Prediction Flood Inundation Mapping products. The framework also provides FEMA Hazus damage assessment capabilities applied to property data from the National Structure Inventory. The platform’s capabilities are demonstrated through a case study of the 2019 Midwestern floods, showcasing its value as an accessible and scalable tool for emergency managers, planners, and communities to assess flood risks.