Botetourt County unveils real-time storm system

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Botetourt County is no stranger to flooding. Just a few weeks ago, several areas had reports of heavy flooding.

Now there is a real-time flood system that gives you 24 to 48 hours warning.

There are now 12 of these within Botetourt County, and emergency services believe they will be a game-changer in saving lives.

“This is going to be a huge game changer for us.”

The UltraSonic River Sensor collects data on water levels in the rivers and creeks below and uses information from the National Weather Service to predict how high the water will rise and where it will rise, something Emergency Manager Daniel Murray said will save lives.

“A lot of what we’ve done throughout the years has been in reaction to the floodwaters rising, then we go in and react. Now we’ll be able to actually see a little bit better what’s coming and what we can expect beforehand,” Murray said.

Botetourt County was able to get the new technology by applying for a grant with a business named RISE.

They work in Partnership with FloodMapp to help emergency services throughout the county gain access to this lifesaving technology.

“Now they can focus their energies on people,” FloodMap CTO Ryan Prosser said, “and need their assistance most where you can give people enough warning time, they can pack their car and get their family to their cousins’ place, whatever on higher ground, so to speak, up of those people who need assistance, they can be more focused and more supported.”

Murray said the data can help better prepare EMS personnel for situations they may encounter in the future.

“So we know that when the river hits this certain level, that it means this. So we’re able to capture that data so that we can use it next time,” he said.

Botetourt County will have until next July to find the funding to keep the system year-round.