A Real Time System for Identifying Flooded Roads in Rural Areas during Severe Precipitation Events

During times of extreme storm events, access to rural areas involves bi-directional flow: (1) Evacuation of able-bodied individuals from affected areas and (2) Access to the affected areas by emergency and rescue personnel. Impediments to ready access to the affected areas vary from those associated with pre-storm such as road congestion/accidents and pristine road surface deterioration, to mid-storm effects such as downed trees, debris, etc., road deterioration from use, flooding accelerated deterioration, and direct flooding of roadways. Post-storm impediments include erosion of roadways, destruction of bridges, debris and destroyed road surfaces and continued flooding. One of the greatest difficulties associated with storm response in rural areas is accurate and timely information. With evacuation, support and emergency resources necessarily limited, the fundamental need is intelligent concentration of resources. Unfortunately synoptic information during and immediately after severe storms is frequently limited through effects of failed infrastructure.