Environment Agency's automated flood warnings cause false alarms and late alerts
The Environment Agency in England has made its automated flood warning system permanent despite inaccuracies. The system, trialled during strikes, issues alerts based on sensor thresholds without human review. Residents have reported false alarms, such as a warning of severe flooding on the River Severn that never materialised, and late warnings, including an alert for the River Wye that arrived 24 hours after peak water levels and after a home was already flooded. The agency acknowledges the feedback and says it will review the system.
- Date it happened
- 2023-01-14
- Organisation involved
- Environment Agency
- Product, system or model
- Automated flood warning system
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