Live online flood warnings now available across the UK
10 July 2012
The UK’s only live online flood warning service has seen a timely launch, as the country faces further unprecedented summer deluges. Data from the Environment Agency’s nationwide network of monitoring stations is being fed into web-based maps to give almost real-time updates as part of the FloodAlerts service created by Shrewsbury based Shoothill.
Originally launched as a Facebook app, the award-winning FloodAlerts is open to all web users in response to the unseasonal amounts of rain expected across the UK in the coming hours and days. It can be accessed here and can be used by individuals and businesses alike.
Created by Shrewsbury-based Shoothill and licensed to the Environment Agency, the system allows anyone to zoom in on any point of the UK map to see flood alert and flood warning statuses, as issued by the EA within the previous 15 minutes. Custom searches can also be carried out by postcode.
FloodAlerts was only launched in April this year but already has thousands of Facebook users who have turned to it during the array of recent flood incidents. In its short life it has already won a high profile national award for innovation, awarded by The Guardian newspapers and Virgin Media Business.
The system overlays Environment Agency data onto Microsoft Bing maps, making use of cloud computer power to scale seamlessly according to user demand and has been responding to surges in use even during the first hour since its launch.
Shoothill has earned a worldwide reputation for its ability to deliver big data presented in innovative ways that can bring information to life.