Trial of prototype local warning devices for flood warnings
This project tested prototype local warning devices in Cumbria in order to demonstrate the reliability, resilience and practicality of this warning method.
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Details
The Environment Agency’s flood warning system ‘Floodline Warnings Direct’ (FWD) is an integrated multi-channel warning system. It provides flood warnings using current technologies (phone, mobile, fax, pager, SMS) to deliver warning messages simultaneously.
Scope of project
This project aimed to test and disseminate the use of new technologies to issue flood warnings to local communities. The project tested prototype local warning devices in Cumbria in order to demonstrate the reliability, resilience and practicality of this warning method.
The aim of the trials was to produce and field-test prototype local warning devices to:
- manufacture a base station and three field outstations
- install the base station in a suitable Environment Agency area and field outstations at locations prone to flooding
- carry out a trial of the system
Outcome
The project was not able to complete its aims successfully, but the concept was welcomed by the community. This shows the need for further technological development in this area.
The equipment and the lessons learned were taken forward through the Environment Agency’s Horizon Scanning team to evaluate the future use of equipment and technology.
This project ran from 2004 to 2008.