Improving dissemination of flood warnings

This project made recommendations for possible ways of developing the flood warnings service using new advances in technology.

Documents

Improving dissemination of flood warnings - final report (336 KB) PDF

Improving dissemination of flood warnings - technical report (357 KB) PDF

Improving dissemination of flood warnings - technical summary (125 KB) PDF

Improving dissemination of flood warnings - technology comparison report (1 MB) PDF

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Details

Objectives

This project explored new methods for distributing flood warnings to the public to help with the development of a new multimedia warning dissemination service. This was being designed to add to the Automatic Voice Messaging System that had been in place since 1996.

The project explored how advances in technology could help the system give earlier, more targeted warnings and make sure that as many warnings as possible reached their destination. It focused on three main areas:

  • analysing requirements for the system
  • comparing available technologies
  • a review of the systems in place in a variety of other countries

The project made recommendations around using digital radio technology (DAB) as well as devices such as fire alarms, burglar alarms and vibrating pillows.

Outcome

The outputs of this project will be of use to those involved in expanding the warning dissemination and information channels of Environment Agency’s Floodline Warning Direct. This was formerly known as the Multi Media Warning Dissemination Service. It’ll also be useful to those who are responsible for warning and informing the public.

This project started in 2002 and was completed in 2003 at a cost of £80,025.

Updates to this page

Published 15 February 2021