How Surveillance Cameras Can Provide Early Flood Detection

Surveillance cameras have many advantages when it comes to capturing evidence and providing proactive solutions to keep facilities safe.

However, surveillance cameras don’t just provide early detection for events such as trespassing and theft—they can also be used as tools to detect catastrophic weather events and natural disasters such as flooding.

Flooding is a risk in many areas around the world, and with climate change and urbanization, flooding is expected to increase [1]. Surveillance cameras can be used in both rural and urban settings to identify rising water levels before they have a chance to impact citizens. Here’s how.

Cameras Track Water Flow and Collect Data

Since surveillance cameras offer a large field of view and don’t require a water-level ruler, they are more effective and accurate than measuring water levels with traditional video screens [2]. Cameras can also be placed in different areas, providing better flexibility when using a surveillance system to detect flooding.

Cameras can provide early flood detection in a few ways. Not only do they track water flow and currents, but they also automatically measure and record water levels and gather weather data. All of this information combined with visual records of water levels makes it easier for people to track weather patterns and water levels to detect flooding before it becomes catastrophic. 

No Lighting Needed to Detect Early Flooding

With infrared video, surveillance cameras can see in the dark, meaning proper lighting isn’t necessary to detect water levels, currents, and weather patterns that could indicate the potential for flooding. Combine infrared technology with high-resolution video quality, and you have a surveillance system that provides reliable footage to detect natural disasters and severe weather events such as flooding.

Automatic Alerts Warn People of Rising Water 

When surveillance cameras detect a flood, the system immediately sends an alert to the appropriate personnel, who can evaluate the risk and verify data before sending out emergency messages. The entire disaster response process is streamlined as a result of this technology [3].

These automatic alarms allow people to be warned of a flood before it has the potential to affect their homes or their driving route. If certain streets are already flooded, the system can identify these areas, which helps operators close roads and divert traffic, and send emergency personnel to regions if necessary. However, in many cases, recorded data and video evidence make it possible for operators to identify the potential for a flood long before it happens, allowing people to get to safety.

Cameras can also monitor developing situations with rising water levels, allowing operators to adjust emergency protocol as the weather shifts and water recedes or rises. 

Find Out How to Implement Early Flood Detection With Surveillance Technology

Surveillance cameras can play an instrumental role in monitoring areas at risk for flooding, including recording data and providing real-time alerts to save lives. Learn more about how you can implement early flood detection technology via your surveillance cameras with our team at Surveillance Secure. Contact us today at (877) 388-1248.

Sources:

1. https://hess.copernicus.org/preprints/hess-2018-570/hess-2018-570.pdf 
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367310/
3. https://www.axis.com/blog/secure-insights/network-surveillance-extreme-weather/