Heavy rainfall in the central Java province of Indonesia between March 13 to March 18, 2024 has caused the failure of two embankments at four different points near Kudus in the Demak Regency. The most significant failure occurred on the Wulan River, exacerbating flooding in the area and causing many canals to fail as a result.

It is that time of year when the spring snowmelt followed by the start of the Atlantic hurricane season raises concerns about flooding in many parts of the United States.

Despite the attention, with so many flooding events spread across an expansive area, data collection remains a monumental task.

The need for ground truth is critical not only for the people in harm’s way, but also for the professionals responsible for providing services during natural catastrophes, including emergency responders and insurers.