FloodPilot • About, Disclaimer & Privacy and User Guide

About FloodPilot

FloodPilot helps drivers stay safer during floods by showing routes that avoid likely flood-prone roads. It uses real-time public data from trusted sources to highlight potential risk and suggest safer paths. FloodPilot began as a high-school innovation project to raise awareness and use technology for public good.

Mission

To reduce flood-related driving risk through awareness and practical technology-starting with flood-prone communities like New Jersey and scaling beyond.

Disclaimer

FloodPilot is a high-school student project for educational and community awareness purposes. It is not an official navigation or emergency service. Data accuracy and availability may vary. Always follow local emergency alerts, weather advisories, and official road-closure information.

The developer(s) and any affiliated institutions make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of information and are not liable for decisions, damages, or losses resulting from use of the app.

Privacy & Data Use

FloodPilot respects your privacy. The app does not collect, store, or share personal information, account data, or location history. Location is used only while the app is in use to provide routing and risk guidance. No analytics, ads, or user tracking are performed. Data is obtained from public sources needed for maps and flood information (e.g., NOAA / USGS).

User Guide

Quick reference for buttons, modes, and test workflow.

Core Controls

Mode: Live / Demo
Live uses current location and real‑time data. Demo uses sample gauges for safe testing.
Origin
Defaults to current location in Live mode. You can type a starting address in Demo mode.
Destination
Enter where you want to go.
Route & Compare
Shows Avoid‑Risk vs Normal routes side‑by‑side. Double tap on Directions panel to close the panel.
Navigate
Gives voice readouts with Prev and Next buttons for guided driving for Avoid-risk route. Once clicked, it starts turn-by-turn direction Voice Guidance.
Emergency Help
One‑tap to 911, NJ 2‑1‑1, nearest ER, AAA, and live weather alerts.
Tips
Safety guidance before, during, and after floods.
Info
About FloodPilot, Disclaimer, and this User Guide.
Map Markers
Gauge dots: Green normal • Orange rising • Red flood‑likely.

Demo Mode Tools

Site
Pick an NJ gauge to simulate conditions.
Flood‑Likely
Turns selected site red to mimic hazardous conditions.
Simulate Rising
Adds a 0.33 ft/hour rise to visualize increasing risk.
Clear
Removes any demo overrides from the selected site.

Testing Tips

  1. Switch to Demo mode.
  2. Pick Millstone River at Blackwell Mills in Site.
  3. Tap Flood‑Likely to mark the site red on the map.
  4. Set Origin: 16 Strawberry Ln, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844.
  5. Set Destination: 108 Jacques Ln, Somerset, NJ 08873.
  6. Tap Route & Compare to view Avoid‑Risk vs Normal.
  7. Tap Navigate for step by step voice guidance
  8. Tap Clear to reset the override.

References

Learn more at floodpilot.com.