Cloud Software Is Changing How Cities Manage Flood Risk

Cities are adopting cloud-based stormwater systems to manage floods more precisely, using data and automation to stretch existing infrastructure further

7 Jan 2026

A gradual shift is under way in how US cities manage stormwater, as a small but growing number of municipalities adopt cloud-based software to help reduce flood risk and meet tighter environmental rules.

Heavier rainfall, aging drainage systems and stricter federal and state regulations are pushing utilities to look beyond traditional concrete infrastructure. In response, some cities and private operators are adding digital controls and real-time data to assets such as retention ponds and drainage basins.

These systems rely on sensors installed across stormwater networks that send continuous data to cloud platforms. During storms, the software can automatically decide when to hold back water or release it downstream, with the aim of limiting flooding and reducing the discharge of pollutants into rivers and lakes.

So far, uptake has been concentrated among early adopters rather than widespread national programmes. Cities such as Albany, New York, have deployed cloud-enabled controls across multiple sites, while private portfolio owners have used similar systems to manage groups of assets. Vendors including OptiRTC have published case studies showing that digital controls can improve performance without building new facilities.

Supporters of the technology say the main benefit is operational, not structural. Retrofitting software and sensors onto existing infrastructure can increase effective storage and flexibility, allowing utilities to respond more precisely to storms. Claims of lower capital spending or improved regulatory compliance are typically based on site-specific results or vendor analysis, rather than industry-wide data.

Forecast-based operations are also gaining ground. By linking stormwater platforms to weather services such as Tomorrow.io, operators can prepare for incoming storms by creating storage capacity in advance. Utilities using these tools report better flood control and water quality outcomes during extreme weather events.

The wider impact is emerging slowly. Engineering firms are beginning to design projects with digital controls in mind, and some municipalities are updating operating rules to allow automated decision-making. Investors and environmental groups increasingly see cloud-managed stormwater as a scalable approach, though it remains far from standard practice.

Obstacles remain, including concerns over sensor durability, cyber security and regulatory frameworks that assume static infrastructure. Even so, cloud-based systems are moving beyond pilot projects. For many stormwater managers, they are becoming a practical way to improve resilience while extending the life of existing assets.