Flood Intelligence: What it is and the roles you can take on in this industry?

In today’s blog we will be exploring the topic of flood intelligence, what it is and the types of roles you can do in this industry.

Introduction

Floods are what happens when a part of land that is dry gets filled with water. This phenomenon takes place during conditions of heavy rain or snow, when there is a break in dams or even when the level of water in the ocean rises and the waves reach the shore. Flooding is considered a natural disaster and it is in strong correlation to the negative impacts of climate change. 

With the accelerating pace of climate change, the risk of flooding has increased substantially. As rising levels of pollution warm the atmosphere, the air is capable of holding roughly 7% more water vapor for every one degree Celsius increase in temperature. This is what causes heavy rainfalls that produce such catastrophic flooding. However, this mechanism represents only one of the many ways in which climate change affects our environment. High temperatures are also driving the rapid melting of polar ice, a process that poses a profound threat to the stability of our global ecosystem. The resulting sea-level rise endangers coastal towns and cities, placing both human communities and natural habitats at significant risk. Moreover, the limitations of existing infrastructure - much of which was never designed to withstand such extreme conditions - further compound these vulnerabilities and intensify the consequences of flooding.

Therefore, since the probability of floods has grown with time as a consequence of the climate changes we are experiencing, this blog post aims to educate readers on the impacts of floods as well as provide information on how to manage flood risks.

Understanding Flood Risk

To fully understand flood risks, it is essential to examine the different types of flooding that commonly occur and analyze the conditions that cause them. Only then can we identify the distinct risk factors associated with these categories and assess their implications.

• River flood is caused by the level of water in a river that rises due to excessive rain that takes place for long periods of time or even from melting of snow. 

• Coastal flood, which affects the land around the coast is mostly caused by higher tides, heavy rain or even intense winds.

• Storm surge is usually caused by a great increase of water level in coastal regions usually occurring during severe storms that produce big waves, intense wind and even low atmospheric pressure.

• Inland floods are caused by intense rain or snow that falls in a dry area and gets accumulated over a period of time.

• Flash falls happen when there is a very fast accumulation of water, due to heavy rain, usually in less than 6 hours, in a specific area.

These are some of the most common flooding types, now let us look at the risk factors associated with these natural disasters. 

• Geography plays a major role, as areas located near rivers or coastlines are naturally more vulnerable. 

• Land use is equally important as urban development, deforestation, and the loss of natural drainage areas can greatly reduce the land’s ability to absorb water.

• Topography influences how water moves across the landscape, with steep slopes accelerating runoff and flat terrain allowing water to accumulate easily. 

• Local climate patterns also shape flood risks, as regions prone to heavy rainfall, seasonal storms, or rapid snowmelt experience far greater exposure to flooding.

Together, these factors determine how likely an area is to experience flooding and how severe the impacts may be.

Assessing Flood Vulnerability

Even with all the research done on flooding and the evolution of technology it is still very hard to predict exactly when such disasters will happen and the intensity of the impacts these events will ultimately leave behind. However, assessing such statistics can be done through the use of flood maps or historical data. Tools such as flood maps allow communities to identify which areas have the highest risk of flooding while historical data are records that document the impact of such catastrophes. Websites like The Global Flood Database collect data on floods over a span of more than 15 years so that people can have access to information and better evaluate the risks such floods might expose them to. With such destructive effects it is very important to know if you are exposed to such possible floods and if so how to stay safe. Many risk assessment platforms provide help for flooding, one of them being the Global Flood Risk Tool (GFRT) from Haskoning. This platform provides support and solutions for individuals who find themselves living in areas where floods are common by conducting risk analysis and recommending investment proposals that are helpful in reducing risk when it comes to human life and economic security.

Jobs in Flood Intelligence

If you are wondering what kinds of jobs you could do in the area of flood intelligence, here are some commons roles in the emerging field of flood intelligence driven by climate risk analytics and technology:

• Flood Risk Analyst – evaluates hazard data, models flood scenarios, supports mitigation planning.

• Hydrologist / Hydraulics Engineer – studies water flow, flood behavior, and designs mitigation systems.

• GIS Specialist – maps flood zones, analyzes terrain, and supports real-time flood monitoring.

• Remote Sensing Analyst – uses satellite and drone data to detect flooding and forecast risk.

• Climate Data Scientist – builds predictive models using rainfall, land-use, climate, and hydrological data.

• Emergency Management Specialist – coordinates preparedness, response, and community flood planning.

• Infrastructure Resilience Engineer – designs flood-resistant structures and adaptive systems.

At Jobs for Planet, we help climate tech start-ups grow and drive a sustainable future. Want to learn how we connect clients with top talent? Book a meeting or email us if you would like access to our talent network.