Floodmap-stories is part of the NASA app challenge and uses different open source solutions which we explain here:
Step1: The flood map data was downloaded from http://oas.gsfc.nasa.gov/floodmap/getTile.php using a python script.
Step 2: All shapes were loaded into QGIS and stitched together. https://github.com/qgis
Step 3: Data was loaded into our online mapping tool based on CartDB; https://github.com/CartoDB/cartodb
Step 4: We looked for stories on the internet. Read them! They are impressive and compelling.
Step 5: THe geocoding is based on MapQuest: http://developer.mapquest.com/web/products/dev-services/geocoding-ws