Terms of Use for Ellicott City FloodWatch App
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Acceptance of Terms
By downloading, installing, or using Ellicott City FloodWatch ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the App.
Description of Service
Ellicott City FloodWatch is a mobile application that provides:
- Real-time river water level data
- Weather and flood alerts
- Flood zone mapping information
- Personalized flood risk assessments
The App is provided for informational purposes only.
Critical Disclaimers
No Emergency Service
- Ellicott City FloodWatch is NOT an emergency alert system
- The App does NOT replace official emergency notifications
- Data may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate
- ALWAYS follow instructions from local emergency management authorities
No Warranties
Ellicott City FloodWatch is provided "AS IS" without warranties of any kind, including:
- Accuracy of data
- Timeliness of information
- Completeness of flood alerts
- Reliability of third-party data sources
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
- We are not liable for any damages resulting from use of the App
- We are not responsible for decisions made based on App information
- We are not liable for data delays or inaccuracies from third-party sources
- You assume all risks associated with using the App
User Responsibilities
By using Ellicott City FloodWatch, you agree to:
- Keep your account credentials secure
- Use the App in compliance with all applicable laws
- NOT rely solely on the App for emergency decisions
- NOT use the App for commercial purposes without permission
- Verify critical information with official sources
Account and Access
Account Creation
- You must be at least 13 years old to create an account
- You must provide a valid email address
- You are responsible for maintaining account security
Account Termination
We reserve the right to:
- Suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms
- Discontinue the App at any time without notice
- Modify features or functionality
You may delete your account at any time through the Settings page. Account deletion is immediate and permanent.
Data Sources
The App uses publicly available data from:
- USGS (United States Geological Survey) - River water levels
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - Weather data
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) - Flood zone maps
- Sunrise-Sunset.org Sunrise and sunset times for day/night detection
We do not control these data sources and are not responsible for:
- Data accuracy or availability
- Service interruptions
- Changes to data formats or APIs
Intellectual Property
Our Content
- The Ellicott City FloodWatch app, website, design, and branding are proprietary
- You may not copy, modify, or distribute the App without permission
Third-Party Content
- Weather data, flood maps, and river data are owned by their respective agencies
- These data sources have their own terms of use
- We use this data under public domain or authorized access
Privacy
Your use of the App is also governed by our Privacy Policy, available at:
Updates and Modifications
App Updates
- We may release updates to improve functionality or fix bugs
- You should keep the App updated to the latest version
- Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance of changes
Terms Updates
- We may modify these Terms of Use at any time
- Changes will be posted with a new "Last Updated" date
- Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
Prohibited Uses
You may NOT use the App to:
- Violate any laws or regulations
- Impersonate others or provide false information
- Attempt to hack, reverse engineer, or compromise the App
- Overload our servers with excessive requests
- Use the App for commercial purposes without written permission
- Redistribute or resell App data
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the creator of the App and its operators from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:
- Your use of the App
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any third-party rights
Dispute Resolution
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, USA.
Informal Resolution
Before filing a claim, you agree to contact us at support@datahackshaw.com to attempt resolution.
Arbitration
Any disputes not resolved informally shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Maryland.
Geographic Scope
Ellicott City FloodWatch is designed for use in Ellicott City, Maryland and surrounding areas. Data and alerts are not accurate or available for other locations.
Third-Party Links
The App may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party sites.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the creator of the App regarding use of the App.
Contact Information
For questions about these Terms of Use:
- Email: support@datahackshaw.com
- Website: https://floodwatchapp.datahackshaw.com
Acknowledgment
By using Ellicott City FloodWatch, you acknowledge that:
- You have read and understood these Terms of Use
- You agree to be bound by these Terms
- You understand the App is for informational purposes only
- You will not rely solely on the App for emergency decisions
- You assume all risks associated with using the App