Dallas-based Jacobs has launched an AI platform to help cities and utilities manage flooding risks. Flood IQ integrates fragmented data from drainage networks and water systems to provide predictive intelligence for emergency response and long-term urban planning.

The platform uses machine learning to analyse rainfall radar, river conditions, and waste-water network data. It provides rapid forecasting with lead times of 24 to 72 hours, allowing cities to identify infrastructure stress points before flooding occurs. The system also includes a real-time response suite for coordinating pumps, gates, and emergency traffic management.

Jacobs has already deployed components of the technology in several regions. In the United Kingdom, United Utilities used machine learning across 78,000 kilometres of sewer network, resulting in a 20 per cent reduction in flooding and pollution events. In Puerto Rico, the platform integrated 7,700 sensors to coordinate storm responses for the island’s water authority.

“Flood IQ represents a fundamental shift in how flood resilience is delivered, helping cities and utilities move beyond static models and reactive responses,” said Jacobs Executive Vice President Amer Battikhi.

The solution is designed to integrate with existing infrastructure tools such as Aqua DNA and Flood Modeller. It also allows agencies to evaluate thousands of resilience strategies against future climate and urban growth scenarios.