Inside the iNeighborhoods LoRaWAN Flood Monitoring Deployment
As flooding becomes more localized and unpredictable, cities are shifting toward real-time monitoring systems that provide faster visibility and more actionable data.
In response to this shift, deployments like iNeighborhoods highlight how connected sensing technologies are enabling communities to move from reactive response to proactive decision-making.
Origins of the iNeighborhoods Geospatial Flash Flood Platform
In 1972, David Sandel and Doug Gilberg worked as dog catchers for University City.
During that time, their work often brought them to the River des Peres, where they experienced flooding firsthand and observed how quickly rising water could affect areas near surrounding neighborhoods.
Years later, that experience became the foundation for something much bigger.
The Night That Proved the System
On July 26, 2022, severe storms hit University City, Missouri. At 1:30 AM, a server alert was triggered, and by 3 AM the team was already on site. Within hours, by 5:00 AM, the channel had risen an estimated 12 feet.
This moment proved a simple idea: If you can see flooding in real time, you can respond faster.
Real-time data in scenarios like this allows teams to act earlier, communicate more effectively, and reduce risk across affected areas.
Real-Time Monitoring in Place
The River des Peres Flood Warning System now includes the following components:
- Integrated sensors trigger a series of alerts as water levels approach flood stage
- Dragino MDS-120-LS and MR-12-LS radar sensors continuously monitor and report water levels at 5-minute intervals (David Sandel is holding the MR-12-LS on the right)
- Dragino LSE01 Sensor Transmitters to measure floodplain soil conditions
- Four live HD streaming cameras at bridges and flood zones
- One SenseCAP S2120 8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor
In development:
- Predictive modeling for overbank conditions
- Integration with municipal Code Red alerts
Dragino Sensors Powering the iNeighborhoods Flood Platform
Why This Approach Is Different
Traditional river gauges monitor major waterways. In contrast, urban flash flooding unfolds block by block.
The iNeighborhoods Geospatial Flash Flood platform addresses this gap by using distributed IoT radar and other weather and security sensors, LoRaWAN gateways, and integrated cameras designed specifically for dense urban micro-watersheds, school zones, bridges, and culverts. The system is scalable, affordable, and already live.
Beyond that, this localized approach reflects a growing need for flexible infrastructure which can adapt to highly specific environmental conditions.
First Responder Visibility
Flash flooding is a new reality for many communities. When a flash flood occurs, community members will want to know the locations of first responders. The iNeighborhoods platform can address this issue by providing real-time tracking of first responders.
In turn, combining environmental sensing with operational visibility helps create a more complete picture during emergency response efforts.
Tunnel Security
In addition, many streams or rivers use culverts to channel water safely to another location or into larger drainage systems. These structures are critical to managing water flow but can also present safety and security risks. iNeighborhoods can help monitor these areas by detecting unauthorized access, including individuals or animals entering the drainage system.
With real-time alerts and remote visibility, this added monitoring helps protect infrastructure, improve public safety, and prevent hazardous situations.
Expanding the Impact
Notably, these additional applications show how the same infrastructure can support broader safety and monitoring use cases.
Communities are increasingly prioritizing climate resilience, smarter infrastructure, and faster public safety response. The iNeighborhoods deployment demonstrates that hyperlocal flood monitoring can successfully move from concept to full operation, creating a clear path for thoughtful expansion into additional communities.
As similar deployments continue to scale, connected sensing systems will play a central role in how cities manage environmental risk and infrastructure visibility.
Bring Real-Time Flood Intelligence to Your Community
Join our upcoming live webinar on April 29 at 2:00 PM CT to see the system in action, hear directly from the team behind the deployment, and discuss what a localized deployment could look like in your city.
The webinar will feature:
- David Sandel, CEO of iNeighborhoods
- Doug Gilberg, Use Case Advisor
- Phil Eastin, Storm Water Commission Engagement Manager
This session will provide a closer look at how the system was implemented, key considerations for deployment, and how similar approaches can be adapted for other communities.
Recent News
The University City Flood Task Force hosted “Visions for Flood Mitigation: U City & Beyond” on March 24, 2026 at 7 PM at the University City High School Library, and brought together experts and mayoral candidates to discuss flood mitigation strategies and the city’s proposed Code Red Early Warning System. Watch the news report here.
