Google Maps were already brilliant, with satellite, topography, live traffic updates, street view and navigation. In wet, wet Britain, Google have unveiled another useful addition, flooding.
"We've all seen the news," said Jeeves Bing, head of research and development at Google Maps. "Cars abandoned when it turns out that puddle is actually seven feet deep."
Already available on Google navigation is the ability to tailor the route depending on traffic conditions, the new flood level open-source alert transmissions (FLOAT for short) will automatically redirect people away from water to deep for their car to get through.
"Hopefully, this will prevent scenes like we've seen this week," said Bing. "The roof of a Porche just visible above the waterline was particularly amusing, but the shot of the aerial of a Fiat from which the fire brigade had only just managed to rescue a family of seven was heart-wrenching."
The new facility on Google maps means that Google Users must enter their make and model of car.
"The facility needs to know just how deep the water has to be before it prevents you taking that route," said Bing. "For instance, if you're in a Fiesta, anything deeper than an inch, and you're in trouble, whilst if you're in a Range Rover, the new part of Google maps will direct you into the River Severn if at all possible, just so we can all laugh at you."
With the rains set to continue all through winter, drenching an already drenched country, this new facility is sure to be a sure fire winner this winter.
