Guest blog: Safeguarding Wales from floods - building resilience with technology

The UK is facing an increase in extreme weather events, and Wales is no exception. Storm Bert, which hit in November 2024, brought over 100mm of rain to parts of Wales, with some areas recording more than 150mm. The severe flooding that followed caused devastation across south and mid-Wales. The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, described the impact as “absolutely devastating.” Managing such events requires robust planning, from forecasting rainfall and assessing risks to issuing timely alerts that allow people to take action.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), a Welsh Government-sponsored body, plays a critical role in managing the nation’s natural resources and responding to climate emergencies. This includes issuing flood alerts and warnings to help communities prepare for the risks posed by river and coastal flooding. In 2024, NRW launched its new Flood Warning Information Services for Wales (FWISfW), a system designed to provide timely, accurate, and actionable information to those at risk.

Previously, NRW relied on a managed service from the Environment Agency to issue flood alerts. However, as floods became more frequent and severe, NRW identified the need for an independent system tailored to Wales’ unique needs. In collaboration with technology consultancy BJSS, NRW developed FWISfW, a system that ensures flood warnings are delivered faster, more reliably, and with greater precision.

Effective climate response systems depend on robust technologies that deliver timely warnings and actionable insights. FWISfW is an example of how advanced tools can empower communities to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. These systems integrate real-time data collection, predictive analytics, and scalable communication platforms to enhance public safety and resilience.

The FWISfW system was built on Microsoft Azure, ensuring compliance with rigorous security standards set by the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) in Wales. The platform includes several innovative features:

Additionally, BJSS developed a “battle board” that combines phonetic dictionaries and pre-designed messages, reducing the time required to issue flood alerts from 10 minutes to just 30 seconds.

The FWISfW project was a collaborative effort involving NRW, BJSS, and other partners like CIPTEX and Floodline. The project also established NRW’s first-ever digital product team, equipping the organisation with the skills and experience to continuously enhance the system.

The FWISfW system went live in July 2024, and its first major test came with Storm Bert. During this event, over 95,000 flood warning messages were sent to residents across email, SMS, and phone—with delivery success rates exceeding 97%. This ensured that people had time to protect their valuables and prepare for the floodwaters.

Andy Wall, Project Executive at NRW, noted, “For those in the path of floodwaters, timely warnings are crucial. When Storm Bert hit, the FWISfW system performed exceptionally, enabling our flood duty officers to handle tasks efficiently.”

Climate response and warning systems are vital tools in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. By leveraging technology, governments and organisations can better predict risks, inform communities, and protect lives and property. The FWISfW system exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful progress in resilience planning.

NRW’s collaboration with BJSS represents a significant step forward in building climate resilience in Wales. By combining cutting-edge technology with a focus on public safety, the FWISfW system not only enhances NRW’s flood response capabilities but also sets a new standard for how technology can be used to safeguard communities.

Matt Harrington, Head of Digital, Data, and Technology at NRW, highlighted the broader impact of this initiative: “This collaboration has significantly improved our ability to manage Wales’s natural resources sustainably while protecting communities from the increasing risks of flooding.”

As climate risks continue to grow, the FWISfW system demonstrates the importance of innovation, collaboration, and technology in ensuring a safer, more resilient future for Wales.

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