Google Expands AI-Powered Natural Disaster Preparedness Worldwide

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Google is broadening its AI-based crisis resilience tools to provide early warnings for earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and wildfires globally, aiming to ensure no one is caught unprepared by natural disasters.

On International ShakeOut Day, Google underscored its commitment to enhancing global readiness for natural disasters through advanced AI and technology. Central to this effort is their Android Earthquake Alerts System, which transforms smartphones into a vast network capable of issuing early earthquake warnings before shaking begins. This system continues to expand into additional countries and regions, increasing its reach and impact.

Beyond earthquakes, Google employs AI models to anticipate and mitigate other natural hazards. Their flood forecasting technology offers up to seven days’ advance notice for riverine floods affecting over two billion people in 150 countries, and provides up to 24 hours’ warnings for urban flash floods. Additionally, WeatherNext, Google’s forecasting tool, can detect cyclones up to 15 days in advance, providing critical lead time for preparations.

For wildfires, Google delivers near-real-time fire boundary maps in 34 countries. The upcoming FireSat satellite constellation is designed to detect and track fires as small as a classroom within 20 minutes once operational, offering swift identification and response capabilities.

In 2025 alone, Google facilitated access to crisis information over 10 million times daily on average, underscoring the scale of its impact. This extensive suite of crisis resilience technologies is detailed in Google's newly released Crisis Resilience white paper, which highlights their collaborations with partners and communities worldwide to enhance disaster preparedness and safety.

Google's holistic AI-driven approach exemplifies the vital role of technology in disaster risk reduction, aiming toward a future where no one is surprised by natural calamities.