
Building Resilient Cities: Innovators Leading the Charge in Disaster Management Tech
By Eric Kamande
Natural disasters have grown in frequency and intensity over the past two decades, disrupting lives and reshaping communities worldwide. According to a 2023 UN report, climate-related disasters have surged by nearly 83%, highlighting the urgent need for proactive disaster management. For cities striving to integrate smart technologies, disaster resilience has become a cornerstone of sustainable urban living.
Technology is stepping up to bridge the gap, empowering cities to anticipate, mitigate, and recover from disasters with greater precision and speed. Tools like AI-driven analytics and real-time mapping systems are transforming emergency response. A striking example is the wildfire tracking app that surged in popularity amid January 2025’s devastating wildfires in California. The growing adoption of such tools underscores the vital role innovation plays in safeguarding lives and infrastructure.
This week, we spotlight three transformative solutions revolutionizing disaster management:
Watch Duty
Watch Duty, a nonprofit wildfire tracking platform has become a lifeline for communities in disaster-prone areas. Developed by John Mills following a fire in 2020, the app leverages data from fire cameras, scanners, and satellite imagery to provide timely, actionable updates on wildfire activity.
During the January 2025 Southern California wildfires, Watch Duty has seen a significant uptick in usage, with over a million downloads in days. Its features include alerts on active fires, evacuation zones, and air quality—all accessible via a simple, user-focused design maintained by volunteer engineers and reporters. Unlike ad-driven apps, Watch Duty operates on a nonprofit model, prioritizing accuracy and accessibility to protect lives.
NERV Disaster Prevention
In a country frequently affected by natural disasters, the NERV Disaster Prevention app delivers real-time alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and more. Led by Daiki Ishimori, who founded Gehirn Inc. in 2010, the app integrates directly with Japan’s Meteorological Service Support Center to ensure swift, precise notifications.
NERV’s standout feature is its location-based optimization, ensuring users receive tailored warnings based on their proximity to disaster zones. The app gained recognition for its reliability during the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, cementing its role as a critical tool for disaster preparedness.
FloodMapp
FloodMapp is pioneering flood intelligence with its real-time, street-level predictions. Founded by Juliette Murphy, a water engineer, and Ryan Prosser, a software expert, the company combines hydrology with cutting-edge geospatial technology to forecast flooding and provide actionable insights for emergency responders and city planners.
One of its major implementations is in Norfolk, Virginia, where the city uses FloodMapp’s data to navigate traffic during flooding events. By delivering rapid, accurate inundation maps, the platform enables communities to minimize disruptions and enhance resilience against the growing threat of floods.
The innovators spotlighted here exemplify the transformative potential of technology in disaster management. As cities evolve into smarter, more connected ecosystems, tools like Watch Duty, NERV, and FloodMapp will play an increasingly vital role in safeguarding lives and building resilience. By investing in such solutions, we can ensure that when disasters strike, our communities are not only prepared but empowered.
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