The utility of Google Trends as a tool for evaluating flooding in data‐scarce places

Google Trends (GT) offers a historical database of global internet searches with the potential to complement conventional records environmental hazards, especially in regions where formal hydrometeorological data are scarce. We evaluate extent which GT can discern heavy rainfall and floods Kenya Uganda during period 2014 2018. triangulate counts flood from available media reports build an inventory extreme events. The Spearman rank correlation (ρ) between monthly mean search interest for flooding Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation Station (CHIRPS) totals was ρ = +0.38 (p < 0.005) +0.64 0.001) Uganda. Media were used specify threshold detectability give same overall frequency based on interest. When index set at ≥15 ≥29, correct detection rate 75% 64% within five-day window known events Uganda, respectively. From these preliminary explorations we conclude that has as proxy source, but greater skill may emerge places larger volumes by linking information about hazards sub-national scales. Wider applicability platform might be possible if there is transparency how algorithms determine topics.