Watch Duty Expands to Flood Alerts Nationwide, June 09

Watch Duty, the nonprofit app that tracked the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires for millions of users, launched nationwide flood alerts on June 9, 2026. The free service now monitors both wildfires and floods across the US, providing real-time warnings from federal agencies like FEMA, the National Weather Service, and the US Geological Survey. The expansion addresses a critical gap: Americans need coordinated disaster alerts from a single source.

From Wildfire Tracker to Multi-Hazard Platform

Watch Duty started in 2021 focused on California wildfires. The app gained national prominence during the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles last year, when it provided real-time fire movement data that users relied on for evacuation decisions. The nonprofit now has 16 million users and partnerships with Amazon’s Ring cameras. Flood tracking represents the second major disaster type the app covers, expanding its role as a unified emergency alert system.

How Flood Alerts Work Differently Than Wildfires

Floods follow more predictable paths than wildfires because water moves in consistent patterns. Watch Duty CEO John Mills said the service has more warning time for floods, making them easier to track and report. The app pulls data from multiple federal sources: FEMA flood hazard warnings, National Weather Service alerts, US Geological Survey river gauges, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration precipitation data. Users can customize alerts to receive watches, warnings, observed water levels, or only declared FEMA hazard warnings.

Live Reporting on Life-Threatening Events

Watch Duty employs paid reporters and coordinates with volunteers who monitor emergency responder radio channels. During critical flood events, the in-person team reports on hazards like dam or levee failures and downed bridges. The flood feature is free and ad-free, matching Watch Duty’s existing wildfire service. Users who already have the app will see a notification about flood coverage the next time they open it, with an option to explore flood layers in settings.

Why Fragmented Data Creates Risk

Americans face information overload during floods because data comes from so many different federal agencies with no single coordinated source. Watch Duty consolidates this fragmented information into one app, giving users a clear picture of flood threats in their area. The nonprofit model means the service prioritizes public safety over profits, removing barriers like ads or paywalls that could delay critical alerts during emergencies.

Final Thoughts

Watch Duty’s flood expansion fills a critical gap in US disaster alerting. With 16 million users and proven success during the 2025 LA fires, the nonprofit now provides Americans with coordinated flood and wildfire warnings from a single free source.

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