Actor, advocate and proud Chicagoan Corey Hendrix likes what he sees.
It has something to do with new life-saving tech in the city he loves.
Corey Hendrix is a proud son of Chicago. The acclaimed actor, known for his powerful performances in "The Chi" and "The Bear," shares from his heart why a new initiative resonates so deeply with him.
Since 2019, over 40,000 Chicagoans have been hit by floods. In 2023 alone, the flood cost the city nearly $500 Million in damages. And Verizon stepped up in a big way to help.
"When a company like Verizon steps up with technology that can literally save homes and livelihoods, it shows me they love my city as much as I do.” Corey Hendrix
Verizon and Hyfi recently installed over 50 high-tech flood sensors across the city’s most flood-prone neighborhoods. Powered by Verizon’s 5G network, these Hyfi sensors will provide emergency managers, city officials, and eventually local residents with real-time, hyperlocal flood data that can help prevent emergencies before they escalate. This initiative is a major step toward enhancing the city’s resilience to flooding.
In 2022, Hyfi was awarded Verizon’s Disaster Resilience Prize. With the money they won, Hyfi was able to partner with Verizon and United Way to roll out its game-changing flood sensors in New Orleans last year. Then, in August 2025, Verizon, the City of Chicago and Hyfi partnered to roll out the sensors in Chicago.
More than just smart tech, it’s a smart investment in communities:
The Chicago sensor launch builds on last year’s successful rollout in New Orleans, where the sensors provided critical data during Hurricane Francine. New Orleans residents have expressed how the technology helps them stay informed, prepared, and safe.
With urban flooding on the rise and infrastructure under strain, this kind of solution is both timely and necessary, especially in cities like Chicago, where combined sewer systems can overflow during storms, leading to flooded streets and homes.
As the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, we are reminded that disaster preparedness is not just about response—it’s about readiness, equity, and long-term resilience.
Looking ahead, Verizon is excited to continue rolling out these life-saving sensors and other innovative tech in additional cities in the coming years. This initiative furthers our commitment to help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters with more confidence and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Fully Sponsored Program: Verizon covered the cost of the program and provided the network infrastructure and platform for Hyfi's sensor technology to operate.
5G Network Connectivity: Verizon's 5G network provides the essential connectivity for the Hyfi sensors to transmit real-time flood data. This allows for efficient data transfer and rapid communication during flood events.
Frontline Innovation Program: Hyfi joined Verizon's Frontline Innovation Program, which focuses on developing and deploying innovative solutions for emergency response and community resilience. This partnership aims to enhance emergency preparedness and response efforts by providing early flood warnings and real-time data to city officials for immediate analysis and response. These sensors offer a significant advantage by providing up to an hour of advance warning before water reaches critical levels, allowing for quicker deployment of emergency services during storms.
Data Collection and Analysis: Hyfi's solar-powered sensors collect crucial water level data, which is then combined with a web-based app to generate a real-time flood condition map. This data is vital for city managers, emergency officials, and eventually residents to understand and mitigate the impact of floods.
Community Engagement: Verizon, in partnership with the Center for Neighborhood Technology, is actively involved in educating communities about flood preparedness and recovery efforts, according to Data Center Dynamics. They are also providing resources and workshops to help residents stay informed and safe during severe weather events.
New Orleans Success: Verizon and Hyfi previously collaborated on a similar deployment of floodwater sensors in New Orleans, providing critical data during Hurricane Francine. This experience has proven the effectiveness of their partnership in mitigating flood damage and saving lives.
In the news: The launch of the flood sensor initiative in Chicago has been featured in local media, including KEYT-TV, ABC 7 Chicago, CBS News, Fox 32 Chicago and The Fast Mode.
Read more about the work Verizon is doing to help.
More on Corey:
Corey Hendrix hails from the west side of Chicago with a degree in Liberal Arts from Southern Illinois University. He developed a strong passion for acting while in college and joined The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, where they toured and performed for thousands. Afterwards, he moved back to Chicago and became involved in the Chicago theater scene while acting in various independent films. Some of his notable credits include starring in Spike Lee's Chi-Raq, guest starring on Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. a recurring role on Showtime's hit series The Chi and a series regular on The 4th Installment of Fargo and a recurring on FX' The Bear which can be streamed on Hulu.
