StormSurge

Inspiration:

Like many others affected by hurricanes, my aunt's house was completely destroyed in Ashville, North Carolina during the recent event. The relief effort like many Americans was inaccessible and provided no support whatsoever.

What it does:

Storm Surge is a comprehensive hurricane relief platform that connects volunteers, shelters, and donation centers in real-time during hurricane emergencies.

The platform features:

An interactive map interface showing:

1. Active shelters with capacity information
2. Donation centers with real-time supply needs
3. Road blockages and hazards
4. Volunteer locations and assignments

Real-time tracking system using custom GPS devices for:

1. Locating people affected by hurricanes
2. Monitoring volunteer movements
3. Tracking supply deliveries

Resource management system for:

1. Real-time inventory tracking at shelters and donation centers
2. Automated supply shortage alerts
3. Volunteer skill matching and assignment
4. Emergency alert broadcasting

How we built it:

We developed Storm Surge using a modern tech stack:

Frontend:

1. React with TypeScript for a robust, type-safe UI
2. Tailwind CSS for responsive design
3. Google Maps API for the interactive map interface
4. shadcn/ui components for consistent UI elements

Backend:

Node.js with Express for the server Socket.io for real-time updates

Hardware:

1. Arduino Uno with GPS modules for tracking devices
2. Custom firmware written in Arduino

Challenges we ran into:

Real-time Data Synchronization:

1. Issues with esp32 microcontroller not supplying enough power to gps module
2. Custom information window with google maps api

Hardware Development:

• Waterproofing the tracking devices
• Optimizing battery life for extended operation
• Ensuring reliable GPS signal reception in severe weather

Map Interface Optimization:

• Managing multiple marker types and **overlays
• Handling marker clustering for better performance
• Implementing efficient info window management

Accomplishments that we're proud of:

1. Created a fully functional prototype of a waterproof GPS tracking device using Arduino Uno
2. Developed a responsive dashboard that handles real-time updates efficiently
3. Implemented an intuitive volunteer management system
4. Built a scalable architecture that can handle emergency-scale data loads

What we learned

Hardware Integration:

• ESP32 and Arduino programming and GPS module integration
• Real-world considerations for emergency hardware
• Importance of power management in crisis situations

Full-Stack Development:

• Real-time data management techniques
• TypeScript's benefits for large-scale applications
• Integration of hardware data with web applications

Emergency Response Systems:

• Critical requirements for disaster response platforms
• Importance of user experience during high-stress situations
• Real-world constraints in emergency scenarios

What's next for Storm Surge

Enhanced Features:

• Implement AI-powered resource allocation
• Add augmented reality navigation for volunteers
• Develop predictive analytics for supply needs
• Offline mode for supply needs

Hardware Improvements:

• Develop solar-powered tracking devices
• Add environmental sensors for weather monitoring
• Implement mesh networking for better coverage
• Create water-proof casing

Platform Expansion:

• Create mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Integrate with existing emergency response systems
• Implement blockchain for transparent resource tracking

Community Features:

• Add crowdsourced reporting of conditions
• Develop a community forum for coordination
• Create a training module for volunteers

The ultimate goal is to make Storm Surge a national tool for hurricane relief efforts, helping communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

Built With

• arduino
• express.js
• google-maps
• node.js
• react
• tailwind.css
• typescript