Watch Duty: Tech Fills Void in Climate Crisis Response

The Watch Duty app is emerging as a critical tool for disaster management, expanding its focus beyond wildfires to include catastrophic flooding events across the United States. Initially launched to help California residents track wildfires, the app has seen a surge in users, reaching 10 million unique users this year alone. This growth is driven by increasing climate change-fueled hazards, which existing emergency systems are struggling to keep pace with.

Utility companies and philanthropic groups have invested millions to support the app's expansion. Watch Duty culls data from various government warnings, weather forecasts, and social media to provide up-to-date information. This service is particularly vital as government agencies like FEMA and the Weather Service face budget cuts and reduced staffing.

In spring, 127,000 users subscribed to alerts in Florida and Georgia during wildfire outbreaks. Following its June launch of flood coverage, a severe flooding incident in Missouri quickly garnered 37,000 views. Paid memberships, offering unlimited county alerts and advanced mapping, have doubled, with over 111,000 users subscribing in 2025. Utilities have also contracted over $1 million in recurring agreements for infrastructure data integration.