Halifax Startup Launches App to Track Stormwater Flooding
Designed with local data, the new platform gives residents real-time warnings and maps for basement flood risks.
July 05, 2025 at 05:38 | By Amelia Fraser, Prairie Signal
A Halifax-based startup is drawing national attention with the launch of a new mobile app that helps residents monitor stormwater flooding risks in real time. The app, called FloodWatchHRM, was developed by BlueRidge Tech, a climate-focused software firm founded by former Dalhousie University students.
Designed to provide hyper-local data, FloodWatchHRM uses weather forecasting, topographical modeling, and real-time sensor feeds from municipal storm drains to alert users to potential flood zones in their neighborhoods. The app displays color-coded risk maps and sends push notifications when heavy rainfall is likely to overwhelm drainage systems.
Co-founder Jason Malik says the idea came after his own apartment flooded during a storm in 2021. 'We realized there was no centralized tool to help people prepare or react quickly,' he said. 'So we built something that gives people a few extra hours to act—and potentially avoid thousands in damage.'
The app is currently available in beta across Halifax and Dartmouth, with plans to expand to other Canadian cities by next year. Users can report flooding incidents directly through the platform, which helps improve prediction models and identify problem areas.
Halifax Water and the municipality’s emergency services are partnering with BlueRidge Tech to integrate the app’s capabilities into broader infrastructure planning. 'This is an exciting example of local innovation helping us respond to climate challenges in real time,' said HRM Chief Resilience Officer Lisa Farquhar.
Flooding from intense rainfall has become an increasingly common issue in Halifax, with several recent events causing damage to homes, roads, and basements—particularly in older neighborhoods with limited stormwater capacity.
The app also provides safety tips, checklists, and links to municipal resources. In future updates, the team plans to introduce predictive alerts that suggest the best parking locations or evacuation routes during extreme weather events.
While the app has so far been funded through private grants and a provincial innovation program, the developers are in talks with insurers and real estate firms about possible commercial partnerships that could expand its reach and impact.
Residents can download FloodWatchHRM for free on iOS and Android. Early user reviews have been positive, with many praising its intuitive design and practical value. 'It helped me move my car before the street flooded,' said one user. 'That alone made it worth it.'