Timbalier Resources Partners with LSU to Pioneer Flood Resilience Innovation Using Everyday Technology

Baton Rouge, LA – May 1, 2025 – Timbalier Resources is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Louisiana State University (LSU) on a forward-thinking research initiative supported by the Louisiana Board of Regents Research & Development Program.

The initiative, “GIS-Hub for Elevation Certification with Low-Cost LiDAR on Smart Devices,” explores how LiDAR sensors built into everyday devices – such as iPhones, iPads, and Samsung phones – can be used to collect accurate elevation data critical for flood risk assessment and compliance with FEMA’s floodplain management standards.

This innovation has the potential to streamline how local governments meet requirements under FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) – a voluntary program that rewards proactive flood management with lower insurance costs for residents. Communities that perform well in the CRS can earn substantial discounts on flood insurance premiums. East Baton Rouge currently sits at a score of 6, saving EBR residents a total of 20% on their insurance premiums. As FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 increases insurance costs in many high-risk areas, improving CRS performance has become a vital strategy for local governments seeking financial relief for their residents.

By leveraging low-cost and easily accessible mobile technology, the project aims to expand access to high-quality elevation data – empowering communities to document floodplain management efforts more effectively, improve flood resilience, and reduce financial burdens on property owners.

Project collaborators include:

• Dr. Lei Wang – LSU Department of Geography and Anthropology (Principal Investigator)
• Dr. Jie Gong – contributing professor and researcher of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University*
• Dr. Aditya Roshan – Timbalier Resources, Geomatics Engineering_‍

_{*Institution is listed for affiliation purposes only; Rutgers University is not a formal partner in the initiative.}

The project will include field testing of mobile LiDAR tools in flood-prone areas, the development of an easy-to-use mobile app, and the creation of GIS-based workflows aligned with FEMA’s elevation certification requirements. The end goal is to equip Louisiana communities with practical, cost-effective tools to support long-term resilience.

Timbalier Resources is honored to contribute its technical expertise and regional insight to this collaboration, which has the potential to deliver positive, long-term impact across Louisiana and other communities facing natural disaster challenges.

‍