Flood warning

Ideally suited for small communities, rural holiday centres or caravan parks, often sited near rivers, the sensor is mounted in a plastic bollard which is sited on the water side of any flood defences. Two or three sensors (depending on geography of the site) are usually all that’s needed to give an early warning of flood water levels, and which direction the flood water is coming from.

As with other sensors, the system offers up to four flood alarm levels, the first being set just above normal annual water level cycles. Three other alarm levels can be set so that threat and rate of increase can be assessed.

The flood sensors are battery powered and so can easily be installed wherever they’re needed. Battery levels are fed back from time to time (typically weekly) so that, even when there are no floods to report, the operation of the system can be remotely monitored. Sensor batteries should last over two years before they need changing, depending on the number of flood events recognised.

Once the alarms have been recognised, they are immediately passed to the web server over the Internet using integrated mobile phone, GPRS technology. The web site has a list of e-mail and SMS targets which can be set to be warned when certain flood levels are breached.

The flood warning is presented on a Google Earth tm Map, with nearby flood warning sensors and their status also shown. Mobile or temporary flood defences may be set up easily as the sensor has an options GPS locator fitted so that their location is immediately updated when they are installed.

The Alarm web site can be made available to as many interested parties as required; initially directed to the web site by a warning text, the users can then monitor the progress of the flood and make timely action on damage prevention or evacuation. This may reduce insurance premiums.