GMV develops automated flood mapping service

GMV is kick-starting the Floodgate project, an automated suit of services designed to improve the way public authorities monitor and respond to flood events. Built from the ground up, the solution will combine satellite Earth observation data together with hydrometeorological and geospatial information to deliver timely, reliable flood intelligence. The service is intended to support municipalities and civil protection authorities in both emergency response and long-term risk management, at a time when climate-driven flooding is becoming increasingly frequent and severe.

Floodgate will integrate data from multiple satellite sources, including radar and optical imagery, enabling accurate flood detection even under challenging conditions such as cloud cover. The system will process these inputs using automated algorithms to generate flood extent maps enriched with information on population, infrastructure, and land use. This will allow users to identify affected areas, assess potential impacts, and prioritize response actions. The platform will be designed to support near-real-time operations, enabling rapid decision-making as events unfold while also supporting retrospective analysis for planning and mitigation purposes.

A key feature of Floodgate is its integration within the Esri ecosystem. Floodgate services will be developed and delivered through Esri solutions, allowing users to access outputs directly within familiar geographic information systems such as ArcGIS Online. This approach reduces barriers to adoption, as many public authorities already rely on Esri tools for spatial planning and emergency management. It also ensures that the service’s outputs can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows without requiring significant additional training or infrastructure.

The project will be developed in collaboration with the Portuguese National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC / https://www.lnec.pt), which will contribute its expertise in hydrology and flood risk assessment. Initial validation will be carried out with Portuguese municipalities, providing real-world testing conditions and direct user feedback. Floodgate is expected to evolve into a scalable operational service supporting more effective flood preparedness, response, and long-term resilience planning.