Dozens of new flood sensors are being installed across Chicago in an effort to improve response times and reduce damage from heavy rain and sewer backups. The rollout comes after severe flooding this summer left hundreds of homes damaged.
Technology and Deployment
The sensors use sonar technology to measure rising water levels and generate real-time flood maps for city agencies. Over the next 18 months, 50 solar-powered, wireless devices will be placed throughout the city. Ten sensors have already been installed, while the remaining 40 are awaiting permits.
The cylindrical devices are mounted on bridges, roadways, and sewer drains. By sending out sound pulses, they track water depth in a way similar to sonar systems used on boats and submarines.
Project Partners and Costs
The initiative is being supported by Verizon Wireless and Michigan-based startup Hyfi, which are providing the technology free of charge through next year. After that, the city will have the option to keep the system at a cost of $1,495 per sensor — totaling under $75,000 annually.
The Center for Neighborhood Technology, a Chicago-based nonprofit, is coordinating the project and overseeing data collection. The long-term goal is to use the data for both emergency response and future infrastructure planning.
Neighborhood Focus
Some of the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods will receive the bulk of the sensors. Chatham and Austin are slated for 10 and 13 installations, respectively, targeting sewer overflow areas. Twenty-seven other sensors will be spread across the city to monitor street flooding, with placement decisions influenced by community meetings in areas like Belmont Cragin and Chatham.
Flooding has been a recurring issue in these neighborhoods. Between 2007 and 2016, 13 of Chicago’s nearly 60 ZIP codes accounted for more than 75% of flood-related insurance claims. Thousands of claims were filed in Chatham alone between 2010 and 2020.
Data Use and Coordination
The Chicago Department of Water Management will use data from nine sewer-based sensors to compare with its own system in order to pinpoint problem areas, particularly on the West Side and in Chatham. Hyfi has also proposed integrating the data into the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication alert system for localized warnings, though that step has not yet been implemented.
In New Orleans, where a similar pilot program was tested during Hurricane Francine, Hyfi reported that its technology was able to alert emergency workers about flooding faster than some 911 calls. The company’s goal is to eventually combine flood sensor data with forecasting models to predict flooding in advance.
Recent Flooding Impact
Heavy rains in July prompted a disaster proclamation from Chicago and Cook County officials. According to a survey, more than 100 homes in Cook County were destroyed, 544 sustained major damage, and 1,451 had minor damage. Residents in affected neighborhoods have voiced concerns about repair costs and the need for quicker response times.
At a July community meeting in Belmont Cragin, about 80 residents shared experiences with flooding and highlighted the importance of faster alerts. “Even an hour could be someone’s basement that could be saved,” said Jeremy Cuebas, executive director of the Grassroots Empowerment Mission, which helped organize the meeting.
Looking Ahead
The installation of the sensors is still underway, with community input continuing to shape placement. Another meeting hosted by the North River Commission is scheduled for September 10 in Albany Park. Project organizers say that while Chicago does not face hurricanes, more intense storms, an aging sewer system, and limited natural drainage areas have made localized urban flooding a persistent challenge.
Get the latest insurance market updates and discover exclusive program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.