FLOODCHAT

A free AI chatbot that helps NYC's 2.3 million renters go from flood risk to flood action in their language, for their neighborhood, on demand.

FloodChat is a free chatbot built to help NYC renters cut through the noise of flood preparedness. Instead of clicking through dozens of websites, renters can ask questions in their language and get faster, neighborhood-specific answers from quality sources.

FloodChat is built for the city’s 2.3 million renters who often feel powerless when storms hit. It covers everything from local flood risk to how to talk with a landlord about what is expected before, during, and after a flood.

FloodChat fills the information gap for NYC renters. It gives them quality, neighborhood-specific information before, during, and after flooding, in their own language.

For renters who often feel powerless or confused, FloodChat is a free, multi-language, on-demand resource. The testing process also brought renters across the boroughs into the conversation on flood preparedness.

THE OUTCOMES

Floodchat is available during every NYC rainstorm and ready to scale on demand. Tested in multiple languages. Validated by renters as a tool they would actually use."

ON the ground

LOOKING AHEAD: What's next for FLOODCHAT?

Over the next 6 to 12 months, the team is growing adoption with renter and tenant-focused organizations, and exploring partnerships with city agencies that touch the renter experience.

The longer-term goal is to make FloodChat infrastructure that scales whenever the rain does, without requiring renters to know where to look for help.

Want to get involved?

TRY FLOODCHAT

Ask FloodChat anything about flooding, preparedness, or what to do during a storm, in your language.
 

Open FloodChat >>

SUBSCRIBE

Stay in the loop on FloodChat updates and the broader City Sponge work. 
 

PARTNER WITH US

Renter orgs, tenant-rights groups, and city agencies can help us get FloodChat to more New Yorkers.
 

FOLLOW ALONG

Follow @thecitysponge on IG for updates on FloodChat, urban tech, and climate resilience.
 

GET INVOLVED IN RAINPROOF NYC

We each have a role to play in Rainproof.

Rainproof NYC is where all stakeholders learn from each other and act collectively to tackle increasingly heavy rainfall and flash floods.The growing Rainproof NYC network brings together community groups, city officials, technical experts, policy advocates, private sector partners, educators, and more to understand and address flooding in NYC.

Ways you can get involved include:

  • Stay updated on new pilot projects, events, and funding opportunities. 
  • Collaborate with the Rainproof NYC Network. 
  • Join a Rainproof Event.
  • Learn from other cities in our Rainproof Series.
  • Participate in or Pilot Rainproof NYC Projects.
  • Share Rainproof Resources & Expertise.
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