Understanding and managing flood risk has become increasingly important as climate change and rapid urbanization intensify the frequency and impact of extreme weather events. Traditional approaches that rely on historical data are no longer sufficient. Extreme floods are rare and unpredictable, making past events a poor guide for the future.

In this episode of InsurTech Amplified, Dr. Andrew Smith, co-Founder and COO of Fathom, brings clarity to one of the most urgent challenges facing the world today—flood risk. With a background in computational flood modeling, Dr. Smith explains how the field has evolved dramatically in the past decade. Instead of relying on limited historical data, today’s most advanced models simulate the actual physics of flooding, using improved satellite imagery, better terrain data, and more powerful computing.

What makes this work so important is not just climate change, but the rapid increase in exposure—more buildings, people, and infrastructure in harm’s way. Fathom’s models are now used by insurance companies, governments, tech firms, banks, and even humanitarian organizations to identify risk and plan smarter. From protecting critical infrastructure to safely siting refugee camps, this work illustrates how science, technology, and data-driven insight can help society become more resilient in a rapidly changing world.