6 Essentials to Help Emergency Managers Design Better Flood Warning Systems

Floods remain one of the most damaging and fast-moving natural disasters worldwide. For emergency managers tasked with protecting lives and property, a well-designed flood warning system is not simply a tool but a critical part of their public safety infrastructure.

Designing or upgrading such a system, however, can be a complex task, requiring more than just sensors and radios. It involves strategic planning, smart technology choices, and a keen understanding of how people respond to alert notifications.

In this blog article, I’ll break down what we at Campbell Scientific believe are the six most important factors emergency managers should consider when building a reliable, scalable, and future-ready flood warning system.

#1 - Real-Time and Reliable Data

Speed is crucial when river levels rise, but so too is trust in the data. A system that updates quickly but intermittently—or even misses critical events because of a communications failure—can do more harm than good.

Be sure to choose telemetry and communications protocols that are built for reliability in adverse conditions. For many public safety agencies, this has meant moving from legacy ALERT-based systems to the more modern ALERT2 protocol. ALERT2 provides time-synchronized messaging, forward error correction (FEC), and increased data rates. These protocol advancements help ensure data are regularly transmitted—even during storms when infrastructure is under stress.

Key takeaway: Select a communications protocol that is fast, reliable, and proven under challenging circumstances.

#2 - Geographic Coverage and Sensor Placement

No two watersheds are the same. A good flood warning network is tailored to the unique topography and hydrology of your region. This means placing sensors not only where floods occur, but also upstream where changing conditions can provide you with early signs of trouble.

Assess your network using these questions:

• Are your water-level sensors positioned in known flash-flood zones?
• Do your river-monitoring sensors cover all the major tributaries?
• Can your system track rapid changes in flow or pressure?

Because coverage gaps can leave your communities exposed, you can get a hydrological assessment to help you determine where sensors will have the greatest impact.

Key takeaway: Ensure your coverage is sufficient to provide you with enough data to make informed decisions.

#3 - Communications System Autonomy

Too often, power outages and cellular network disruptions coincide with flood events. Systems that rely solely on internet or mobile data may fail when they are needed most.

Because of these potential failures, many emergency agencies continue to invest in radio-based systems that use protocols like ALERT2. These systems operate independently of cellular or broadband infrastructure and can function as stand-alone networks with mesh or repeater configurations. In areas with limited connectivity or a high risk of infrastructure loss, this resilience is a must.

Key takeaway: Use a communications protocol you can rely on under adverse conditions.

#4 - Emergency Operations Integration

A flood warning system isn’t effective in isolation. It should ideally feed into broader emergency management workflows—whether that’s a regional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) dashboard, a mobile app for field teams, or automated text alerts to the public.

Look for systems that offer:

• Real-time visualization tools or map-based dashboards
• Threshold-based alarms and notifications
• Export options for integration with alert-notification platforms

When the right data reach the right people at the right time, action can quickly follow. Consider using CampbellCloud™, our web-based decision support software, which offers these features.

Key takeaway: Share your information with a broader network to improve public safety measures.

#5 - Maintainability and Longevity

Technology doesn’t serve communities well if it’s too complicated or expensive to maintain. Carefully choose equipment that is designed for long-term field deployment, minimal upkeep, and remote diagnostics reporting. It’s also helpful to standardize your system. Strive to avoid building a patchwork of incompatible devices that require different software or maintenance schedules.

Your thoughtful equipment selection at the onset can really make a difference in terms of your system’s future needs. For example, a device such as our AL200X ALERT2 Modem and Sensor Interface offers full ALERT2 compliance, multi-sensor support, and a robust design suited for challenging field conditions. The AL200X is easy to integrate, easy to configure, and built to operate reliably for many years.

Key takeaway: Plan for your present and future needs.

#6 - Public Communication and Education

The most technically sound warning system won’t save lives if people don’t understand what the warnings mean or when to act. As you design your system, consider how alert information will be communicated to the people who need it:

• Are the warnings consistent across platforms (sirens, mobile alert notifications, social media)?
• Is the language clear and easy to understand?
• Are outreach and education programs in place before disasters strike?

A well-informed public can act faster and more knowledgeably when they receive alert notifications, making better decisions to ensure their safety.

Key takeaway: Consider the needs of your community members for understandable and actionable information.

Conclusion: Think Holistically; Act Proactively

Designing a flood warning system involves more than selecting sensors, modems, and data loggers. It’s about building an integrated, reliable, and people-centered network that gives emergency managers and communities the information they need when they need it most.

Focus on these six factors:

1. Real-time, reliable communication
2. Sufficient data coverage
3. Autonomous communications systems
4. Data sharing
5. Robust equipment
6. Public readiness

With the ALERT2 protocol and a core device such as the AL200X, it’s now easier than ever to create a future-ready system tailored to the realities of modern flood risk.

For more information about the AL200X and other flood warning solutions from Campbell Scientific, visit our Flood Warning Systems solution page. 

Credits: Brett Hansen of Campbell Scientific, Inc. contributed to this article.