As extreme weather events become increasingly frequent and severe, the EU-funded CREXDATA project is paving the way for the next generation of real-time critical situation management. A key component of this initiative is the “Weather Emergencies” use case, led by HYDS, which has successfully integrated its Argos system to provide advanced predictive capabilities and operational tools for emergency responders.
A Framework for Extreme-Scale Data
The CREXDATA project aims to develop a versatile platform for agile decision-making powered by extreme-scale and complex data. Within this ecosystem, HYDS has leveraged Argos, its proprietary Multi-Hazard Early Warning System, to bring CREXDATA’s research results into a practical, operational context.
While Argos was already a market-ready tool for monitoring weather-induced emergencies, the collaboration has significantly extended its capabilities. The goal was twofold: to enhance Argos with CREXDATA technologies and to feed the CREXDATA platform with critical hydrometeorological data for broader use.
Piloting Resilience in Three European Cities
The implementation has focused on two primary hazards -flooding and wildfires- across three pilot cities: Innsbruck (Austria), Dortmund (Germany), and Helsinki (Finland).
To achieve accurate real-time monitoring, HYDS integrated a vast array of heterogeneous data sources. These include on-the-ground sensors (rain gauges, river levels), weather radar, numerical weather prediction models, and hydraulic models. Furthermore, the system now incorporates official warnings from national weather services and European-level forecasts from Copernicus services, such as EFAS and EFFIS. Crucial static data, such as georeferenced flood zones and vulnerable elements, were also embedded to support local risk management.
New Technical Capabilities for Control Rooms
A significant portion of the technical work was dedicated to homogenizing formats and connecting workflows to create visualizations that are meaningful for Control Room staff. The enhanced platform now boasts several cutting-edge features:
- Flood Simulations & Barrier Optimization: The system not only simulates flooding evolution across a city but also calculates the optimal height for flooding barriers to minimize impact in specific objective locations.
- Infrastructure Monitoring: It forecasts the overflow status of sewer systems, identifying critical risk points.
- First Responder Safety: By tracking firefighters on the map and analyzing biometric data, the system can now assess firefighter fatigue levels in real-time.
- Drone & Robotic Integration: The platform visualizes drone flights for constructing 3D models and optimizes robotic flight paths based on battery consumption and wind direction.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Operators can now utilize AR for location tracking and optimal routing between personnel, supported by Argos’s hydrometeorological forecasts.
Looking Ahead
By bridging the gap between raw data and actionable intelligence, the HYDS contribution to CREXDATA demonstrates how advanced simulation models and real-time sensor integration can transform disaster response. The customized implementations in Innsbruck, Dortmund, and Helsinki serve as a blueprint for how technology can be tailored to specific geographical frameworks to protect communities from escalating climate risks.
