Many were caught off guard when heavy rains brought massive flooding to major roads in Cebu City on July 16, 2025.
However, there’s one tool that could help Cebuanos stay ahead of disaster next time: the UP NOAH (University of the Philippines Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) map.
Dr. Mahar Lagmay, executive director of UP NOAH and a geologist, explained during a Tufts University webinar, cited in a November 2023 report on the UP Resilience Institute website, that anticipatory action isn’t just about having the right tools or technology. The core of disaster preparedness, he emphasized, lies in effective coordination, adequate resources, and responsive systems that can act swiftly on forecasts. It’s also about collaboration, between communities, government agencies, and organizations, to truly save lives and reduce disaster impacts.
Here are four things to know about this homegrown app:
1. It tells you your flood risk, down to your exact street
Using simulations, satellite data and historical flood records, the app gives you a color-coded warning of flood risk: red means high risk, orange is medium, and yellow means you’re still not totally in the clear. Just type your location or drag the pin and the map updates in real time.
2. It doesn’t stop at floods, it also maps landslides and storm surges
If you live near hilly areas or the coast, the app gives you a quick visual of your landslide and storm surge vulnerability, too. The storm surge model even accounts for water levels up to five meters high. What’s more, the map also shows critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, and evacuation centers around your pinned location, helping you understand not just the risks but the nearby resources available in case of emergency.
3. You can access it on the web and iOS
The hazard database is free and open to the public. Check it on your desktop or download the iOS app for hazard guidance, preparedness tips and a smoother mobile experience. It’s science in your pocket.
4. The data comes from UP scientists, not random forecasts
In an April 2025 news report by ABS-CBN, UP NOAH began as a government project in 2012 under the late President Benigno Aquino III, aiming to equip Filipinos with disaster-related information. Though it was defunded in 2017 during the Duterte administration, the University of the Philippines had already adopted it, later forming the UP Resilience Institute with geologist Dr. Mahar Lagmay at the helm. Today, UP NOAH continues to produce science-based models and maps, powered by Filipino experts.
UP NOAH encourages users to send in photos. These help verify the models and make future forecasts more accurate.