This is the central question driving the FLOWS project – Flood Crisis Management With Earth Observation Solutions. Launched in 2024 under the STEREO IV programme funded by BELSPO, FLOWS was born in the wake of the catastrophic floods that struck Belgium and Germany in the summer of 2021.

These events revealed a critical gap: Earth Observation (EO) data were largely underused during the crisis and its aftermath. Emergency responders, crisis centers and authorities lacked timely geospatial information to support decisions on the ground. In response, a consortium of Belgian and German experts in EO and Artificial Intelligence came together with a clear objective: to develop innovative EO-based technologies that deliver accurate and timely information to all stakeholders involved in flood crisis management, at the national, regional and local levels. 

A Stakeholder-Driven Approach

FLOWS is firmly guided by real-world stakeholder needs in geo-information. Throughout the project, all solutions will be validated iteratively by key stakeholders to ensure their operational relevance.

EO-based tools under development include:

  • Fast and reliable flood extent maps
  • Real-time flood mapping and victim detection during drone flights
  • Semi-automatic conversion of drone imagery into orthorectified maps
  • Automatic assessment tools for short- and long-term flood impacts on infrastructure, the environment, and vulnerable populations
  • Social media analytics to track population movements during crises

Combining Data for an Up-to-date Situational Overview

All outputs will feed into dynamic “disaster hot spot” maps integrating continuously updated visualizations offering a clear, comprehensive view of the situation as it evolves. These tools are designed to help crisis managers prioritize response efforts, allocate resources more effectively, and ultimately reduce impacts and save lives.

More information about FLOWS on the partners’ websites: