The early warning system for small-scale regional flooding offers emergency services and those affected a revolutionary time saving of 15 to 30 minutes in the event of a disaster. These extra minutes are valuable for taking preventive measures and minimising damage. The system has been developed specifically for small regional catchment areas of less than 10 km². It uses a network of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to detect flooding at an early stage.
Unlike existing systems, which focus primarily on large rivers such as the Danube and operate at relatively slow measurement intervals of around 15 minutes, this system relies on the significantly faster collection of relevant data. The sensors measure current precipitation and water levels in the region in under a minute, comparing them with the area’s maximum absorption capacity. This speed is crucial, as small-scale regional flooding often occurs very quickly, requiring an immediate response.
Save 15–30 minutes in the event of a disaster
One particularly outstanding feature of this system is its ability to issue flooding warnings up to 30 minutes in advance. This additional time can mean the difference between an orderly emergency response and chaotic conditions in which resources cannot be used effectively. Initial pilot projects are already demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in practice. It has been successfully implemented in Ruprechtshofen, a municipality in the district of Melk, and is currently being rolled out in Amstetten. Other municipalities in the districts of Melk and Scheibbs are also planning to use it.
Market opportunities in Europe
The market opportunities for this innovation are enormous. Given climate change and the resulting increase in extreme weather events, the risk of flooding in Europe is set to rise. According to a study by the Taylor & Francis Group, flood damage could reach 40 billion euros by 2050. This is where the early warning system for small-scale, regional flooding comes in, providing preventive protection for people and buildings, as well as saving valuable time in an emergency.
Partners involved
Backed by renowned partners such as the EPZ (Elementarschaden-Präventionszentrum, or Natural Disaster Prevention Centre), Dr Hans Starl (a natural hazard management expert), TU Wien, BOKU and Microtronics, this system has the potential to become a leader in Austria and throughout Europe within the next five years. The current 24-month test pilot will provide valuable insights to inform the system’s ongoing development.
Current water levels can be viewed on the wasserstand.info website. It is also possible to alert the emergency services, who will then inform the public.
