Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters, and their impact is only increasing. FloodView, an MVP currently being implemented in 2025, is designed to enhance flood prediction accuracy and emergency response through AI and real-time data. This pilot is being deployed in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) at Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a region highly vulnerable to flash floods. Additionally, UIUC (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), the grantee of this initiative, will leverage the collected data to refine academic research on flood forecasting models. This project is part of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator (ISA), a global initiative supporting communities facing environmental and economic challenges. The program aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focuses on delivering AI-powered solutions for real-world impact.
Year
2025
Role
Designing the end-to-end user experience of FloodView—from discovery & strategy to high-fidelity prototyping and design handoff to development team.
Team & Stakeholders
IBM | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, National Park Service
Why FloodView Matters
FloodView integrates AI models with real-time environmental data to enhance flood prediction accuracy and provide early warnings to Weather Scientist Advisors and Law Enforcement teams, ensuring Park Rangers and local authorities have critical information to act proactively. Main benefits: • Predict & visualize floods in high-risk areas by combining meteorological forecasts with localized river and water level data • Early warning system with multi-channel alerts sent 24h and 48h before a potential flood (in-system, email, and SMS) • Empower emergency teams with actionable data • Reduce response time & improve disaster management strategies By combining AI, geospatial data, and human-centered design, FloodView isn't just a product—it's a tool for resilience, helping communities prepare, respond, and rebuild faster.
Scaling Impact
Beyond FloodView, my work at the IBM Sustainability Accelerator extends to DesignOps leadership, where I collaborate with a team of talented designers to optimize processes, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration—ensuring high-impact design across multiple sustainability initiatives. The program has supported global projects across four key areas: 🌱 Sustainable Agriculture ⚡ Clean Energy 💧 Water Management (FloodView is part of this cohort!) 🏙 Resilient Cities This program is about global scale, local impact, and being part of the design leadership team has reinforced my commitment to using design as a force for good. As I move forward in my career, this is the kind of work I want to do more of: leveraging design for sustainability, climate tech, and global impact.