Watch Duty Expands Flood Alert Coverage Nationwide The nonprofit organization Watch Duty, renowned for its wildfire alert system that has served over 16 million users across 50 U.S. states, has launched a new flood coverage feature to address the growing need for real-time disaster information. The expansion marks the organization’s first major shift beyond wildfires, offering flood alerts and data to communities nationwide. The app now integrates real-time flood data, river gauges, and plain-language warnings on the same interactive map users have relied on for wildfire updates. Watch Duty’s flood coverage was officially launched on June 8, 2026, following years of demand for a centralized, user-friendly platform to track flooding. Existing flood alert systems, according to the organization, are fragmented and often difficult to interpret during emergencies. Official warnings, precipitation data, and river gauge information are typically scattered across multiple sources, presented in technical formats, and rarely visualized on a clear map of affected areas. Watch Duty’s solution consolidates these signals into a single, accessible interface, enabling users to monitor flood risks in real time. The app’s flood features include live verification from a trained network of reporters, many of whom are current or former first responders, dispatchers, and emergency management professionals. These individuals provide on-the-ground context during catastrophic events, such as dam or levee failures, downed bridges, and high-risk flooding scenarios. This system mirrors the approach that made Watch Duty a critical resource during past disasters, including the 2023 wildfires in Spokane, Washington, the South Fork and Salt Fires in New Mexico, and the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.#spokane_washington #watch_duty #john_mills #texas_hill_country #south_fork_salt_fires
