BY: ZHENGHONG TANG & KERRY MCCULLOUGH-VONDRAK, UNL COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

A persistent challenge during flood recovery and prevention has beenthe lack of accurate and timely disaster information, especially forvulnerable populations. Non-English speakers and individuals withlimited digital access often face significant barriers to obtaining critical,life-saving information. These challenges are further exacerbated byinefficient spatial data systems, undermining community resilience.To address these issues, the research team from the Communityand Regional Planning program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln(UNL) has developed the “Nebraska Flood Resilience” through ArcGISStoryMap Collection, a multilingual and user-friendly platform designedto improve flood information accessibility. The ArcGIS StoryMapCollection is a visual and interactive tool available in English andSpanish. It focuses on improving information delivery for multiculturalaudiences, particularly Spanish-speaking users, enabling them to betterunderstand and act on disaster-related data. It aims to enhance publicawareness and build capacity in communities severely affected by the2019 floods, preparing them for future flood events.In addition to its multilingual capabilities, ArcGIS StoryMap empowerscommunities with an intuitive interface to explore flood risk data,visualize past flood events, and identify high-risk areas. By integratingmaps, images, and narratives, it bridges the gap between complexgeospatial information and actionable insights for local decision-makersand residents. The platform also supports collaborative planning byallowing stakeholders to share information, build scenarios, and engagein informed discussions about flood mitigation strategies.The StoryMap Collection also supports the creation of a digital twin ofNebraska, an advanced technology that integrates geospatial data toproduce a virtual replica of the real world.This innovation is vital for disaster prediction, infrastructure design,and urban planning. By leveraging ArcGIS StoryMap’s powerful visualstorytelling and data visualization features, communities can betteranticipate, prepare for, and respond to flooding events, ultimatelystrengthening resilience and saving lives.“This innovative tool will serve as an essential information platformto serve economic development and climate resilience as ademonstration model for planners and policy makers at the local, stateand national levels” said Dean of College of Architecture, Kevin VanDen Wymelenberg.“The StoryMap Collection provides developers, urban planners andresearchers with critical data for informed decision-making, layingthe groundwork for Nebraska’s future disaster management andsustainable urban development,” said Community and RegionalPlanning Program Director and Professor Zhenghong Tang.

“Multilingual support is a key element in reducing the information gapand helping vulnerable populations more easily access their flood risk,”said Yunwoo Nam.CRP Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer Jiyoung Lee said, “theStoryMap Collection is transforming communication betweencommunities and experts by organizing spatial data into an accessibleand engaging format. The platform includes interactive features suchas a map swiper, zoom functionality, interactive scale bars, layerselection tools and legends. These tools allow users to explore criticaldatasets, such as the Natural Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), land valuesimpacted by the 2019 floods and demographic profiles of affectedareas, providing actionable insights rather than simply presenting rawdata.”The project is already making a significant impact. “The StoryMapCollection has not only improved disaster information accessibility forvulnerable populations but also helped communities establish moreefficient and precise disaster response systems,” said CRP studentJahangeer Jahangeer. “Additionally, the digital twin technology plays apivotal role in strengthening Nebraska’s sustainable development andlong-term disaster resilience strategies.”“This project is a prime example of how technology can address socialchallenges,” noted Post Doctoral Research Associate Jesse Andrews.With ongoing contributions from the UNL GeoAI team, the ArcGISStoryMap Collection continues to evolve, incorporating more dataand features that enhance Nebraska’s safety and resilience. Beyondbeing a disaster information tool, the platform fosters inclusive andsustainable communities, supports recovery efforts and sets newbenchmarks for urban and disaster management strategies.Risha Singh, a master student in the Community and Regional PlanningProgram, is developing community-based flood risk maps to informlandowners, developers and policymakers about flood risks. Theseworking products are shared with stakeholders to enhance communityresilience planning, contributing to the project’s goal of creating a saferand more informed Nebraska.