MyCoast New York is a tool used to collect and analyze photos of changing shorelines, inland and coastal flooding, and hazardous weather impacts across New York State. Through MyCoast, anyone with a phone or camera can easily participate in gathering images that help build awareness of changing conditions and support local efforts to address flooding and erosion.
Despite the name, MyCoast NY can be used to capture flooding and storm damage in every New York county through the Flood Watch or Storm Reporter tools. Each photo report is geotagged and automatically linked to nearby weather and water level data, helping users visualize when and where flooding occurs.
When Winter Storm Elliot struck on December 23, 2022, bringing freezing temperatures, damaging wind, and the highest storm surge recorded in the downstate region since Hurricane Irene, residents captured 108 reports across the state, creating an archive of local impacts that continues to inform resilience planning.
Expanding Tools for Engagement
Since its launch, MyCoast NY has expanded beyond flood documentation. The CoastSnap feature invites the public to photograph shorelines from fixed camera mounts to track erosion over time. The newest tool, Litter Watch, empowers New Yorkers to help tackle litter in and around waterways. Participants can upload photos of litter in water, on shorelines, or near storm drains and waterfront parks. Each photo is paired with weather and tide data, helping identify pollution hotspots and patterns.
Developed by New York Sea Grant in partnership with researchers at Columbia University, Litter Watch connects communities with science to support local planning, education, and pollution prevention. Submissions can be made through the MyCoast app (available for iPhone and Android) or on the website with a free account.
Growing Participation and New Partnerships
MyCoast NY’s value comes from its community of users. Local groups like Peconic Baykeeper on Long Island have used MyCoast to crowdsource photos of coastal flooding, encouraging residents to become “flood watch volunteers.” In Central New York, the Kettle Lakes Association has used the app to document runoff and hail events, compare historic high-water photos, and track changing storm patterns. “It was quick, user-friendly, and accurately located each photo—even those from a massive hailstorm in 2011,” said Colleen Zawadzki of the Kettle Lakes Association. “It’s a great way to keep track of our growing frequency and severity of storm events.”
In the Hudson Valley, the Hudson River Watershed Alliance has used MyCoast to raise awareness of sunny-day flooding - high tide events that occur even in dry weather - helping residents distinguish tidal flooding from rainfall-driven floods.
Beyond New York, a partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) allows users to submit reports on wildlife sightings, coastal recreation, and large marine debris such as abandoned vessels or tires. These new report types expand the tool’s reach and connect MyCoast data with regional ocean and coastal management efforts.
Looking Back to Look Ahead
In 2025, the MyCoast team also began adding historic flood photos to its database. Collaborating with municipal historians and the History Center in Tompkins County, the team incorporated verified images - some dating back to the flood of record in 1935 - providing visual evidence of how flooding patterns have evolved over nearly a century.
How to Get Involved
Anyone can explore or contribute to MyCoast NY. Visit mycoast.org/ny, select Search Reports, and filter by county, community, date, or report type. Users can also enable in-app alerts to be reminded to document flood or storm impacts - though these are not emergency alerts.
By sharing photos and observations, residents, researchers, and floodplain managers are together building a living record of New York’s changing water landscapes, one image at a time.
More Information
MyCoast was also recently featured in the Cornell Chronicle. A link to that article with additional information on MyCoast can be found here: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/10/ground-truth-flood-monitoring-tool-gives-nys-residents-voice