IFLOWS

The Federal Integrated Flood Observing and Warning System (IFLOWS) is a cooperative venture between the National Weather Service (NWS) and seven flood-prone Appalachian states (KY, NC,NY, PA, TN, VA, and WV). The purpose of IFLOWS is to reduce the annual loss of life from flashfloods, reduce property damage, and reduce disruption of commerce and human activities. To accomplish these goals IFLOWS uses communications technology and software to collect realtime sensor data from remote locations, and disseminate the data among government organizations responsible for public safety.

Each participating state/county is responsible for long term operations and maintenance costs of the system and equipment, excluding portions within Federal Government facilities. Each year Federal funds are conveyed to participating states via a Cooperative Agreement. The individual states submit a work plan which includes equipment to be purchased, installation work to be accomplished, and overhead. Funding for the Cooperative Agreement is subject to Congressional appropriations.

IFLOWS was never intended to be, nor is it budgeted as, an exclusively NWS program. The participating states and communities collectively contribute far more manpower and resources to supporting IFLOWS than NWS. Without state and local participation, the Federal government would be unable to support the number of sensors currently installed in the field.

The IFLOWS federal/state/local partnership with Kentucky includes the following:

KEWS plays a major role in the support of this system by providing and maintaning the communication link for each site. Emergency Managment also provides support in the maintenance of the sensors.