Overview:
Project ENKI was highlighted at Disaster Expo Miami as a cutting-edge initiative designed to transform fragmented flood data into real-time intelligence that communities can use to prepare for extreme weather events. Experts Tracy Fanara, PhD and Sophie Bryden discussed how the project combines environmental science, hydrological modeling, and community communication to help predict flood risks and improve disaster preparedness.
MIAMI BEACH, Florida — At the Disaster Expo Miami, leaders in climate resilience, emergency management, and environmental science gathered to discuss emerging technologies that help communities prepare for disasters. Among the most compelling initiatives presented was Project ENKI, a collaborative effort designed to transform fragmented flood data into real-time intelligence that communities can use to predict, prepare, and prevail during extreme weather events.
Operating under the mission “Predict. Prepare. Prevail.”, Project ENKI—short for Emergency Network turning Knowledge into Actionable Intelligence—is focused on saving lives and protecting communities by delivering clear, usable flood intelligence directly to those most at risk.
Transforming Flood Data Into Real-Time Action
Flooding remains one of the most destructive and costly natural hazards worldwide. In many communities, however, critical environmental data—from rainfall patterns to stormwater systems and coastal surge models—often exists in disconnected systems.
Project ENKI addresses this problem by integrating environmental science, real-time data analysis, and community engagement to deliver actionable insights during flood events.
The initiative’s approach centers on:
- Aggregating fragmented flood data sources
- Converting environmental data into real-time intelligence
- Delivering information directly to communities and decision-makers
- Supporting long-term resilience planning and infrastructure improvements
By turning raw scientific information into clear warnings and planning tools, the project aims to empower both emergency managers and residents to respond faster when flooding threatens.
A Science-Driven Approach to Community Resilience
Speaking at Disaster Expo Miami on March 4, Dr. Tracy Fanara, PhD, highlighted the importance of translating complex environmental science into real-world solutions.
Dr. Fanara is a nationally recognized expert in stormwater hydrology, coastal science, and science communication, holding a B.S., M.E., and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida.
Over the past decade, she has worked across government, academia, nonprofit organizations, and industry to design stormwater systems and perform flood analyses worldwide. Prior to joining Project ENKI, she served as Coastal Modeling Portfolio Manager at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), helping advance coastal modeling systems nationwide.
Dr. Fanara also previously directed the Environmental Health Program at Mote Marine Laboratory, where she developed real-time environmental data tools used by millions and built citizen science networks that trained volunteers to collect vital environmental information.
Beyond research and modeling, Dr. Fanara has become widely known for communicating environmental science to the public. Her work has been featured by Discovery Channel, National Geographic, FOX, and The Weather Channel, helping translate complex scientific concepts into practical guidance that communities can use to prepare for extreme environmental events.
Her work also extends to education and outreach, including STEM programs, watershed hydrology camps, and disaster preparedness training designed to empower the next generation of environmental leaders.
Bridging Science and Communities Through Communication
Also presenting at the event was Sophie Bryden, Communications Specialist for Project ENKI, who focuses on ensuring the project’s scientific insights reach the people who need them most.
Bryden is an environmental communicator with a background in sustainability, policy, and media. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources from Clemson University, followed by a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan.
Her work blends environmental science with strategic communications, using digital media, newsletters, and social platforms to translate complex hydrological information into accessible resources for communities and emergency planners.
Prior to joining Project ENKI, Bryden created multimedia environmental content for organizations including the The YEARS Project, the University of Michigan, and Inspector Planet.
At Project ENKI, her role focuses on connecting the science behind flood forecasting with public awareness campaigns designed to improve preparedness and resilience.
From Prediction to Prevention
At its core, Project ENKI seeks to move disaster response from a reactive model to a predictive and preventative approach.
By combining environmental monitoring, hydrological modeling, and community engagement, the project helps ensure that flood intelligence reaches local leaders and residents before disasters strike.
This proactive strategy allows communities to:
- anticipate flood risks earlier
- improve evacuation and emergency planning
- strengthen infrastructure and stormwater systems
- educate residents on real-time flood threats
As climate change continues to intensify storms and coastal flooding across regions like South Florida and the Caribbean, initiatives such as Project ENKI highlight the growing importance of combining scientific innovation with accessible communication.
A Growing Focus on Data-Driven Disaster Preparedness
Discussions at Disaster Expo Miami emphasized that future disaster preparedness will rely increasingly on data integration, real-time environmental monitoring, and public communication networks.
Projects like ENKI demonstrate how environmental science can move beyond research labs and into communities, helping transform information into life-saving action.
With experts like Dr. Fanara and Bryden leading the initiative, Project ENKI represents a new model for disaster intelligence—one that connects scientists, policymakers, and residents through shared data and a common goal: building safer, more resilient communities.
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