Four innovations in flood technology the industry must grasp

Rising populations and a more volatile climate mean flood risk is a growing problem globally. Paul Drury of Ambiental, a specialist in flood modelling, spoke to Intelligent Insurer about four advances that will help the re/insurance industry improve its response to flood risk.

Monitoring floods from above
As flood waters rise, the industry is utilising the latest technology to pinpoint the affected areas and analyse the impact, says Paul Drury, product manager at Ambiental, a specialist in flood modelling.

“Historically there has been a lack of accurate and timely mapping showing the extent of flooding. This can limit the effectiveness of the response and hinder the speed of recovery after the event,” he explains.

Technologies such as earth observation satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones) are beginning to be used to capture data from floods to generate useful digital products for insurers and loss adjusters.