# High-Resolution Flood Probability Mapping Using Generative Machine Learning with Large-Scale Synthetic Precipitation and Inundation Data

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.13936 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.13936/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 8 of its 54 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 20 Sep 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [Attention Is All You Need](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.03762/) (2017)
- [XGBoost: A Scalable Tree Boosting System](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1603.02754/) (2016)
- [Modeling Tabular data using Conditional GAN](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1907.00503/) (2019)
- [A Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Predictive Flood Warning and Situation Awareness using Channel Network Sensors Data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.09201/) (2020)
- [ELEV-VISION-SAM: Integrated Vision Language and Foundation Model for Automated Estimation of Building Lowest Floor Elevation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.12606/) (2024)
- [A Physics-informed machine learning model for time-dependent wave runup prediction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.08684/) (2024)
- [Many-to-One Distribution Learning and K-Nearest Neighbor Smoothing for Thoracic Disease Identification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.13269/) (2021)
- [A comparison of machine learning surrogate models of street-scale flooding in Norfolk, Virginia](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.14185/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Flood-DamageSense: Multimodal Mamba with Multitask Learning for Building Flood Damage Assessment using SAR Remote Sensing Imagery](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.06667/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

High-resolution flood probability maps are instrumental for assessing flood risk but are often limited by the availability of historical data. Additionally, producing simulated data needed for creating probabilistic flood maps using physics-based models involves significant computation and time effort, which inhibit its feasibility. To address this gap, this study introduces Precipitation-Flood Depth Generative Pipeline, a novel methodology that leverages generative machine learning to generate large-scale synthetic inundation data to produce probabilistic flood maps. With a focus on Harris County, Texas, Precipitation-Flood Depth Generative Pipeline begins with training a cell-wise depth estimator using a number of precipitation-flood events model with a physics-based model. This cell-wise depth estimator, which emphasizes precipitation-based features, outperforms universal models. Subsequently, the Conditional Generative Adversarial Network (CTGAN) is used to conditionally generate synthetic precipitation point cloud, which are filtered using strategic thresholds to align with realistic precipitation patterns. Hence, a precipitation feature pool is constructed for each cell, enabling strategic sampling and the generation of synthetic precipitation events. After generating 10,000 synthetic events, flood probability maps are created for various inundation depths. Validation using similarity and correlation metrics confirms the accuracy of the synthetic depth distributions. The Precipitation-Flood Depth Generative Pipeline provides a scalable solution to generate synthetic flood depth data needed for high-resolution flood probability maps, which can enhance flood mitigation planning.
