Dutch climate-tech company Fast Hazard, a spin-off from the University of Twente, has launched FastFlood Global, a new platform that can simulate floods anywhere on Earth within seconds.
Developed with support from German partner RiskLayer, the system is the first to combine global coverage with detailed, interactive flood forecasting.
Traditionally, running detailed flood models can take days or even weeks on supercomputers. FastFlood Global employs a new modelling method that delivers results tens of thousands of times faster, enabling planners, engineers, and emergency services to test scenarios instantly.
Globally, flood impacts have been estimated at $70 billion (USD) annually, affecting millions of people in recent years. “Our goal is simple: to save lives and protect vulnerable communities using the technology we’ve built,” Dr. van den Bout adds. “By making flood modelling instant and accessible, we give decision-makers the tools they need when every second counts.”
The platform comes with global data already built in, meaning users can quickly generate high-quality flood maps for any region, down to a one-meter resolution.
Fast Hazard is already partnering with major organisations, including the World Bank and the World Food Programme, to support disaster response and climate adaptation projects worldwide. The technology has been successfully tested during major flood events, such as the 2021 Valkenburg floods, the 2024 Bangladesh floods, and Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica in 2025.
The company’s goal is to make professional flood forecasting technology accessible to everyone, from local governments to international aid teams. Their audience is rapidly expanding into new sectors through partnerships, like with GeoSpatial-Insight, to enhance and scale flood intelligence.
About Fast Hazard
Fast Hazard is a Dutch climate-tech company that develops fast and accessible tools for flood and landslide risk assessment. Originating from the University of Twente’s PARATUS project, the company’s technology helps communities and organisations strengthen resilience against climate change.
