Leveraging INRIX Incident Data for Safer Hurricane Response

When hurricanesoccur, they pose a serious threat to transportation infrastructure;with heavy rain, powerful winds, and widespread flooding damaging roads, bridges, and power lines. These disruptions can isolate communities and hinder emergency response efforts. In such high-stakes situations, safe and efficient navigation becomes critical, making real-time, accurateinformation on road conditions essential.

Drivers often depend on satellite navigation systems during storms, but outdated or incorrect data can steer them directly into danger. Access to timelyand reliable updates on road closures and hazards is vital-not only for public safety, but also for coordinating emergency situations. After a storm, when the landscape has often been dramatically altered, accurateinformation helps first responders quickly adapt and operateeffectively in the unstable environment.

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm,became the second hurricane to strike Florida's Gulf Coast in just 13 days, delivering a devastingblow to the already ravaged Tampa Bay area. The storm unleashed unprecedented rainfall, qualifying as a 1-in-1,000 - year event. St. Petersburg alone recorded 18.31 inches of rain - more than 1.5 feet - in a single 24-hourperiod, as reported by the National Weather Service. Even more alarming, 5.09 inches of that rainfallfell within a single hour, from 8 p.m.to 9 p.m. ET-an event with just a 0.1% likelihood of happening in any given year. The magnitudeand intensity of this storm underscore the exceptional and historic nature of the disaster.

Tracking Hurricane Milton

One of the ways that INRIX contributes to managing the chaos hurricanes bring is through our powerful Incident Data, designed to provide real-time information on road closures and hazards. INRIX recorded over 500 incidentsrelated to Hurricane Milton, including:

• 347 flooded roads

• 91 fallen trees

• 63 downed power lines

• Numerous cases of damaged roads, mudslides, and controlled closures.

Throughout the storm, INRIX delivered up-to-date reporting on major interstate closures, applying rigorous attention to ensure the accuracy of both the length and status of each closure. INRIX reported on the closures of 10 major bridges surrounding the area. Accurateclosure information is not just about convenience but can be the difference between safety and dangerfor drivers navigating hazardous, flood-affected roads.

INRIX Incident Data is invaluable for emergency responders, relief workers, and people who mustnavigate disaster-stricken areas to ensure the safety of their routes. Using a three-prong approach;real-time GPS probe data, online source curation, and social media monitoring, allows INRIX toprovide drivers with up-to-the-minute information on which roads are safe during a storm. Incident Data helps emergency crews act quickly and with confidence:

• Evacuate communities

• Deliver essential supplies

• Coordinate rescue missions

Behind the scenesof Incident Data is theINRIX Incident Team which plays a critical role in keeping the data accurateand up to date. This dedicated team works around the clock - 24 hours a day, seven days a week -closely monitoringconditions, and continuously updating road closure reports. Using advanced tools and methodologies like GPS probe data and artificial intelligence, they ensure that drivers and emergency responders have access to the most precise and reliable information.

Supporting Emergency and Relief Efforts

INRIX Incident Dataalso plays a pivotal role for companies managing shipments or aid deliveries. Natural disasters cause significant delays in supply chains, and companies must ensure their deliveries arrive safely at their destinations despite road closures and hazardous conditions. INRIX's data helps logisticsmanagers reroute shipments as necessary, reducing the risks associated with navigating hurricane-affected areas.

One of the standoutfeatures of INRIX's service is its use of the Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) to ensure balanced accuracy in its reporting. MCC considersnot only true positives (roads that are closed and accurately reported as such) but also true negatives (roads that are open and identifiedcorrectly). By avoiding false positives (roads that are incorrectly reported as closed) and false negatives (roads that are closed but wrongly identified as open), INRIX ensures both emergency responders and everyday drivers have the most reliable navigation information available.

Assisting withDisaster Relief Efforts

The ability to effectively navigate natural disasters is becoming an essential part of disaster preparedness and response. INRIX continues to advance its incident data capabilities to deliver proactive disaster management efforts. By detecting hazardous conditions in real time and enabling both responders and drivers to steer clear ofdanger, INRIX's focus on precision and dependability is crucial for maintainingsafe and efficient transportation during hurricanes and other natural disasters.

In critical moments where every second matters, INRIX plays a key role in keeping people and goods moving safely. Whether you'rean emergency responder trying to reach affected areas or a logisticscoordinator working to reroute vital deliveries, INRIX is there to help navigate through the chaos.