Beyond the Buzz: How AI Is Actually Changing Hazard Mitigation

At this year’s ASFPM Conference in New Orleans, the spotlight was on a topic that’s quickly moving from future-facing theory to present-day practice: Artificial Intelligence in hazard mitigation.

During a  keynote session, floodplain managers, emergency professionals, and mitigation leaders gathered to reflect on where AI stands today and where it's headed. Through live polling and open discussion, one thing became clear: AI isn’t a theory. It’s happening.

The Pulse: What Floodplain Professionals Really Think About AI

When asked how they currently use AI, attendees showed a broad spectrum of familiarity. Some haven’t integrated AI into their workflows yet while others are already using it for research, document summarization, content creation, and email drafting.

The one-word responses said it all: “Potential.” “Powerful.” “Interesting.”
But also: “Scary.” “Overhyped.”

That tension is real, and it makes sense. AI’s rapid evolution has outpaced adoption in many public-sector fields, and questions about data privacy, transparency, and accuracy still loom large.

Yet despite those concerns, most participants said they feel comfortable using AI tools. This is a pivotal shift and it signals not only growing trust, but readiness and an openness to thoughtfully bring AI into the fold in ways that amplify, not replace, human judgment.

Why AI Matters for Hazard Mitigation Work

Hazard mitigation is built on information: Flood records. Parcel maps. Infrastructure data. Elevation certificates. Regulations.

Processing this data has traditionally taken hours (if not days) of expert work, but AI changes the game by automating manual work and surfacing insights that help teams act faster and smarter.

For professionals focused on resilience, compliance, or risk communication, AI is not about removing people from the process. It is rooted in  removing barriers to the work that matters most.

Putting AI to Work: How Forerunner Is Leading the Way

At Forerunner, we’re focused on helping communities do more with less -- without compromising accuracy, clarity, or local control. We’ve integrated AI across our platform to tackle common pain points for floodplain managers and mitigation teams.

Here’s how we’re bringing AI from concept to impact:

Elevation Certificate Error Detection

Forerunner's AI has reviewed 400,000+ elevation certificates and flagged over 750,000 potential issues, helping ensure that key data is clean, accurate, and audit-ready.

Instant Website Translation

Automatic translation of public-facing content from English to Spanish makes it easier for residents to understand their flood risk and their responsibilities, without language being a barrier.

Smart Record Autofill

From inspections to code enforcement, Forerunner's AI now pre-populates record fields by pulling data from documents, images, and previous reports. That means less time on data entry, and more time on strategy.

AI-Powered Document Generation

The Forerunner platform instantly drafts letters, compliance notices, follow-ups, and reports directly from record data -- saving time, reducing errors, and eliminating the need to copy  and paste information from spreadsheets.

Image & Report Analysis

Forerunner's AI can analyze property photos, identify possible violations, and match them to local codes. It also summarizes public complaints and flag what needs attention first, ensuring faster and fairer response.

The Future Is Practical

AI is a practical partner for professionals tasked with protecting lives, property, and local resilience. As natural disasters grow more frequent and complex, the need for faster decisions, clearer communication, and scalable systems has never been more urgent. AI helps fill that gap -- not by taking over, but by helping experienced teams focus where they’re needed most.

At Forerunner, we believe in using technology to amplify the human impact of hazard mitigation professionals, not replace it. From compliance to communication, Forerunner is building tools that make it easier for communities to prepare, respond, and rebuild stronger than before.