Real-Time Flood Alert Sensors Installed on Havelock North Streams

Havelock North residents are now benefiting from a groundbreaking initiative to install real-time flood alert sensors on five key streams in the area. The project, a significant step in flood resilience planning, has already deployed 13 of the 15 planned sensors, with the remaining two to be installed following bridge work and site confirmation on the Karituwhenua Stream.

The sensors, installed by Adroit Environmental Intelligence in collaboration with local councils, provide real-time data on water levels, flow rates, and pressure. This information is crucial for early warning systems, helping residents prepare for potential flooding during severe weather events.

Malcolm Dixon, a local councillor representing the Hastings Havelock North ward, praised the initiative as “wonderful progress.” He highlighted how the sensors will help residents stay informed and prepared during extreme weather conditions. “The sensors monitor the level, flow, and pressure of the streams and quickly put out alerts on rising water levels, allowing people to be prepared during weather events,” he said.

The initiative follows a period of uncertainty for many residents, particularly those near the Mangarau Stream. More than 40 properties were placed in Category 2C flood risk after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, but recent reassessments have downgraded them to Category 1, the lowest flood risk category.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst emphasized the importance of the project for the community. “The five streams all run through residential urban areas into the Karamū Stream, so we need near real-time information on what is happening,” she said. The council plans to use the data to inform long-term planning and improve flood preparedness in the region.

Once fully operational, the sensors will be accessible to the public through a dedicated dashboard on the council’s website. The dashboard will integrate water level data with local MetService information and the Havelock North dam monitoring system, providing a comprehensive flood monitoring tool for both officials and residents.

Adroit’s general manager, Guy Macpherson, described the system as the most comprehensive environmental monitoring solution for flood detection in New Zealand. “This is likely to set the standard for other councils and regions,” he said.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance flood resilience in the Hawke’s Bay region. As climate change continues to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such measures are becoming increasingly vital for protecting communities and infrastructure.