A Queens resident’s flooded street is now hard data thanks to a statewide app turning everyday photos into life-saving insights, according to Cornell Chronicle.
The MyCoast New York app lets residents upload real-time flood images, helping emergency responders, forecasters, and city planners act faster and smarter. Since 2022, over 1,800 uploads from 26 counties have shaped forecasts, unlocked grants, and pushed New York City to install flood sensors.
Cornell’s Sea Grant team and partners rolled out the tool to amplify local knowledge and give flood-prone communities a voice. Officials say the data has already changed National Weather Service warning thresholds and helped prepare for future storms.
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