GREENCASTLE, PA — Pennsylvania officials this week unveiled major upgrades to the state’s Integrated Flood Warning and Observation System (IFLOWS), strengthening both public safety and science education. Known as IFLOWS 2.0, the enhanced system will support faster, more accurate weather alerts while doubling as a learning tool in schools statewide.
The initiative, led by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) in collaboration with Penn State University, the National Weather Service, and local school districts, will install 30 new weather stations across the state by August 2026. Most will be located on school properties, bringing the total number of real-time weather monitoring sites in the Keystone Mesonet network to 50 across 38 counties.
“Flooding is Pennsylvania’s most common natural disaster, and early detection is key to saving lives,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “This system gives emergency managers and forecasters more time and better data to act before disaster strikes.”
The upgraded network, renamed the Pennsylvania Environmental Monitoring Network (PEMN), integrates data from Penn State’s meteorological stations with information from PennDOT, the Turnpike Commission, and other federal and state agencies. The effort enhances the state’s capacity to issue timely alerts for severe weather and flooding threats.
Penn State’s Head of Meteorology, Dr. Paul Markowski, emphasized the program’s dual purpose: “These stations not only improve emergency preparedness, but also offer a powerful educational platform that brings real-time data into classrooms.”
The Greencastle-Antrim School District is helping develop a state-aligned K–12 curriculum using data from the PEMN. Students will have direct access to weather stations on school grounds, connecting science education with real-world applications in environmental literacy and public safety.
“This hands-on experience helps students understand how weather affects their communities and how technology can be used to address these challenges,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe.
The IFLOWS 2.0 project is backed by nearly $900,000 in federal funding. A $720,000 grant from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program covers 90% of system installation costs, while a $172,500 Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant funded the site planning phase. The Commonwealth provided matching funds for both grants. Separately, a $499,192 PAsmart Advancing Grant awarded to Greencastle-Antrim supported the development of the new STEM curriculum and outdoor learning spaces.
The project fulfills a statutory mandate under Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes requiring the state to maintain an integrated flood warning system. Originally developed in the 1970s, IFLOWS is now being modernized with advanced sensors, expanded data-sharing partnerships, and community engagement.
By combining infrastructure improvements with educational programming, the state aims to not only improve disaster preparedness but also inspire the next generation of scientists, emergency planners, and community leaders.
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