Here’s how special sensors along NYC streets are monitoring flood events across the 5 boroughs

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City is no stranger to severe weather events, as earlier this fall a “life-threatening flooding event” swept through the five boroughs, turning roads into rivers and disrupting mass transit. But a flood-monitoring network, called FloodNet, launched on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida, aims to provide information on the impact of hyperlocal street-level flood events in hopes of informing officials and agencies.

“It is important to note that the core focus of FloodNet’s work is to develop, implement and share access to the tools in our network,” said Véronëque Ignace, community engagment manager for FloodNet NYC.

The project, which has received $7.2 million in city funding, is a network of street-flooding sensors designed to better understand the extent of flooding throughout the five boroughs, according to the CUNY Graduate Center.

The flood sensors aim to provide information on the impact of hyperlocal street-level flood events to a range of stakeholders, policymakers, government agencies, citizens, emergency response teams, community advocacy groups and researchers.

“In addition, our Community Engagement Team has been working to build partnerships with a full spectrum of stakeholders, including coalitions, resident-led civic groups, volunteer-based disaster ready teams and even urban farms,” said Ignace. “Use of our data in this context is partner-led or community-led, in that these groups already have a need in mind, and our role is to help support their ability to use our tools to respond to said need.”

On Staten Island, there are about 13 flood sensors. Multiple sensors can be spotted around the borough, including Midland Beach, Willowbrook and Port Richmond.

Each sensor is placed on top of a street pole with a sign below that reads “Local Flood…