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Orbiting satellites were originally sent up to help predict weather. Since their creation, they have been invaluable in forecasting flash floods. Because they orbit miles above the earth, they can send images of clouds back to earth each half hour. These pictures are studied by scientists, who look for changes in cloud growth and temperatures to find the possibility of heavy rains. Weather satellites gather information that is used to predict strong thunderstorms, hurricanes, and flash floods. Computers are then used to predict the effects of heavy rains. These results are then sent to the National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States and smaller local weather offices across the nation and the world. The NWS involves 1500 river-monitoring and 4,000 rainfall-measuring stations, as well as a network of observers who keep a sharp eye out for rising water. Once this information is relayed to people, they can be prepared for flood conditions if necessary.

The NWS also has a system of twelve River Forecast Centers that makes long-range predictions for 97% of the United States. Data from local stations are sent to these centers, where hydrologists make flood forecasts by comparing it to historical records, taking into account the season, river channel topography, soil conditions, rainfall intensity, and weather. The forecasts are sent to the general public, and warning, if necessary, is then given.

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