I Felt the Flood: : Emilia‑Romagna Flood Safety VR

A virtual‑reality flood preparedness experience designed by Isaac Irvine with Oasis IRIS

Developed and directed by Isaac Irvine for Oasis IRIS, I Felt the Flood is an immersive VR training simulation currently piloted in Emilia‑Romagna, Italy. This project places users at the heart of a realistic flood event—designed not just to inform, but to emotionally prepare. Presented at ECCA 2025, the experience guides participants through phases before, during, and after a flood, helping them practice real-time responses in a safe, simulated environment.

Built using VR technology, spatial sound, and environmental visuals, the experience mimics rising water, sensory shifts, and the emotional gravity of a flood scenario. Feedback from pilot users highlighted its vivid realism—participants reported remembering the sound of water and feeling the cold, spatially immersive details stayed with them long after the simulation.

This project illustrates Isaac’s commitment to using immersive art for social resilience and public education. By merging experiential storytelling with practical training, I Felt the Flood demonstrates how VR can transform how communities understand risk, respond to emergencies, and build empathy. It aligns directly with Oasis IRIS’s mission—Innovation, Resilience, Immersion, Storytelling—and embodies Isaac’s ongoing exploration of immersive design as a catalyst for collective awareness and lasting impact.