MONITORING RAINFALL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a rainfall monitoring apparatus, system and to a method of monitoring rainfall at a particular location.

During heavy rainfall, certain areas, for example, outlying rural areas often experience rapid flooding or flash flooding often without any prior warning. This is problematic as many dire consequences linked to flash floods in these rural communities could have been mitigated if adequate rainfall monitoring measures were in place.

For the reason above, it is desirable for at least local disaster management centres to have prior warning of a potential flash flood situation in order to take appropriate steps to mitigate the often devastating consequences of flash flooding.

It is an object of the present invention at least to address the abovementioned problem and also at least to assist in facilitating mitigation of the often damaging effects of flash flooding. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a rainfall monitoring apparatus comprising: a rain gauge configured to measure a rain level associated with rainfall at a particular location; a wireless communication module for communicating data wirelessly; and a processor configured at least to control the wireless communication module to transmit rainfall data, wherein the rainfall data is associated with the rain level measured by the rain gauge at the particular location.

The processor may be configured to: generate and/or select at least one suitable message based at least on the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge, and control the wireless communication module to transmit the rainfall data comprising the generated or selected message wirelessly to a recipient device or apparatus.

The messages may be transmitted to a disaster management centre, a interested party, a champion in a particular community, or the like.

The apparatus may comprise a memory storing at least messages or message templates to be transmitted.

The processor may further comprise: a rain level receiver module configured to receive rain level data from the rain gauge, the rain level data being indicative of the rain level measured by the rain gauge; a rain level determining module configured to determine if the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge is indicative of at least an impending flood or rain stopping/stopped; and a message management module configured to transmit, via the wireless communication module substantially in real-time, at least a flood warning message or a rain stopping/stopped message, wherein the flood warning message is transmitted if the rain level determining module determines that the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge is indicative of an impending flood, and wherein the rain stopping/stopped message is transmitted if the rain level determining module determines that the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge is indicative of rain stopping/stopped.

The rain level determining module may be configured to: compare the rain level received via the rain level receiver module with at least a flood rain level threshold stored in a memory; and determine that received rain level is indicative of an impending flood at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the flood rain level threshold.

In addition, the rain level determining module may be configured to: compare successive rain levels over short periods of time; and determine that rain is stopping or stopped at the particular location if the successive rain levels over the shorts periods of time are decreasing or the rain level received is negligible or below a predetermined rain stopping/stopped threshold stored in the memory.

Also, the rain level determining module may be configured to: compare the rain level received via the rain level receiver module with one or more intermediate rain level thresholds stored in the memory, wherein the intermediate rain level thresholds are less than the flood rain level threshold; and determine that the received rain level is increasing at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the one or more intermediate level thresholds.

The message management module may be configured to transmit a rain increasing message if the rain level determining module determines that the received rain level is increasing.

The level thresholds may be bands or ranges of rain levels.

The processor may comprise a user management module configured to: receive command and/or request messages from authorised users via the wireless communication module; and process the received command and/or request messages, at least to set level thresholds or to transmit rainfall data to authorised users on receipt of suitable command and/or request messages therefor.

The apparatus may conveniently comprise a housing in which a tipping bucket rain gauge is disposed, the housing being shaped at least to direct rain to the tipping bucket rain gauge. The wireless communication module may be a GSM (Global Apparatus for Mobile Communications) antenna/modem, the messages received by and transmitted from the apparatus are therefore one or more of SMS (Short Message Service) messages, and USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) messages.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a rainfall monitoring system comprising: a memory storing data' a rain level receiver module configured to receive rain level data, wherein the rain level data is associated with a rain level measured by at least one rain gauge at a particular location; a wireless communication module for communicating data wirelessly; and a processor configured at least to generate and/or select at least one suitable message based at least on the received rain level data, the processor further being configured to control the wireless communication module to transmit generated and/or selected message to a recipient device or apparatus.

The messages may be transmitted to a disaster management centre, a interested party, a champion in a particular community, or the like.

The system may comprise, or is in communication with, a plurality of rainfall monitoring apparatuses disposed at various remote locations, wherein each rainfall monitoring apparatus may comprise: a rain gauge to measure a rain level at a particular location of the rainfall monitoring apparatus; and an associated wireless communication module for communicating data wirelessly at least to the rain level receiver module.

The processor may comprise: a rain level determining module configured to determine if the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge is indicative of at least an impending flood or rain stopping/stopped; and a message management module configured to transmit, via the wireless communication module substantially in real-time, at least a flood warning message or a rain stopping/stopped message, wherein the flood warning message is transmitted if the rain level determining module determines that the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge is indicative of an impending flood, and wherein the rain stopping/stopped message is transmitted if the rain level determining module determines that the rain level measured by the at least one rain gauge is indicative of rain stopping/stopped.

In addition, the rain level determining module may be configured to: compare the rain level received via the rain level receiver module with at least a flood rain level threshold stored in the memory; and determine that the received rain level is indicative of an impending flood at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the flood rain level threshold.

Also, the rain level determining module may be configured to: compare successive rain levels over short periods of time; and determine that rain is stopping or stopped at the particular location if the successive rain levels over the shorts periods of time are decreasing or the rain level received is negligible or below a predetermined rain stopping/stopped threshold stored in memory.

The rain level determining module may be configured to: compare the rain level received via the rain level receiver module with one- or more intermediate rain level thresholds stored in the memory, wherein the intermediate rain level thresholds are less than the flood rain level threshold; and determine that received rain level is increasing at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the one or more intermediate level thresholds.

The message management module may be configured to transmit a rain increasing message if the rain level determining module determines that the received rain level is increasing.

The level thresholds may be bands or ranges of rain levels.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus and system as described herein typically operate automatically or with little human intervention thereby increasing efficiency and convenience thereof over existing technologies.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring rainfall at a particular location, the method comprising: measuring or receiving rain level data, the rain level data being indicative of a rain level at the particular location determined by way of at least one rain gauge at the particular location; determining if the rain level is indicative of one or more of an impending flood, rain stopping/stopped, and rain level increasing; and transmitting a suitable warning or alert message, wirelessly to an interested party, if it is determined that the rain level is indicative of either one or more of an impending flood, rain stopping/stopped, and rain level increasing.

The method may comprise the steps of: comparing the rain level with at least a flood rain level threshold stored in a memory; and determining that the received rain level is indicative of an impending flood at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the flood rain level threshold.

The method may comprise: comparing successive rain levels over short periods of time; and determining that rain is stopping or stopped at the particular location if the successive rain levels over the shorts periods of time are decreasing or the rain level received is negligible or below a predetermined rain stopping/stopped threshold stored in the memory.

The method may further comprise: comparing the received rain level with one or more intermediate rain level thresholds stored in the memory, wherein the intermediate rain level thresholds are less than the flood rain level threshold; and determining that received rain level is increasing at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the one or more intermediate level thresholds. The method may comprise transmitting a rain increasing message if it is determined that the received rain level is increasing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a rainfall monitoring apparatus in accordance with an example embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a rain gauge from the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 in more detail;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of at least a portion of the rainfall monitoring apparatus disposed on a roof, in use;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a network in accordance with an example embodiment, illustrating the rainfall monitoring apparatus of Figure 1 in more detail with respect to the processor; and

Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of a method of monitoring rainfall in accordance with an example embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings where a rainfall monitoring apparatus in accordance with an example embodiment is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 is located or placed at a particular location, for example, a location adjacent a rural settlement or community to assist in warning the community of impending natural disasters, typically flash floods. Though intended for use in rural areas, nothing prevents the present invention from being used in urban environments.

It will be appreciated that the invention may extend to a network comprising a plurality of apparatuss 10 disposed within one or more communities. However, for ease of explanation, only one apparatus 10 will be described further.

The apparatus 10 comprises at least one rain gauge 12 configured to measure rain levels associated with rainfall at the particular location. The rain gauge 12 typically comprises a tipping bucket rain gauge 12 with each tip representing, for example, approximately 0.254 millimeters of rain. A portion of the inner mechanism of the tipping bucket rain gauge 12 is illustrated in Figure 2 for completeness. The tipping bucket rain gauge may be a conventional tipping bucket rain gauge with the inner mechanism conveniently housed in a plastic sleeve. However, it will be appreciated that any other type of rain gauge may be used by the apparatus 10, though the tipping bucket rain gauge advantageously does not need to be emptied every day. Also, the tipping bucket rain gauge allows the apparatus 10 advantageously to run for weeks, and months without attention from skilled personnel, thus making it ideal for deployment in outlying or rural areas where there is a shortage of skilled personnel.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus 10 may comprise a plurality of rain gauges 12. However, in a preferred example embodiment, only one rain gauge 12 is provided per apparatus 10.

The rain gauge 12 may be housed or may comprise a housing 13. The housing 13 typically is constructed of a hardwearing material, for example, a plastic material. The housing 13 may be shaped to direct rain to the rain gauge 12 to assist in accurate measuring of rainfall. To this end, the housing 13 conveniently comprises a cylindrical and/or part-conical shape body.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a wireless communication module, for example, a GSM modem 14 to allow the apparatus 10 receive and transmit data in the form of text or SMS messages, wirelessly via a communication network 16 (Figure 4). The network 16 may therefore be a cellular or mobile telecommunication network. In other example embodiments, the communications network 16 may be a packet-switched network and may form part of the Internet. Instead, the communications network 16 may be a circuit switched network, public switched data network, or the like. In any event, it will be appreciated that the wireless communication module is adapted to receive and transmit data wirelessly via the network 16.

Following on from above, it will be understood that in one example embodiment, the apparatus 10 may be configured to send data in the form of messages via GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) to a server if, for example, it will be used by a disaster management service which has a fixed IP server. Date and time would also be given in these messages.

The apparatus 10 conveniently transmits the SMS messages to a recipient, which may be a communication device associated with at least one interested party or user 18. The communication device associated with the interested party 18 may be a mobile or cellular telephone, a smart phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a computer connected to the network 16, or the like.

It will be appreciated that the interested party 18 may comprise one or more of a disaster management center, a champion or disaster manager/administrator in the community associated with the monitored location tasked with receiving rain level updates in order to warn the community of an impending flood, scientists, forecasters, researchers, and the like. The interested party 18 may be authorised to receive messages and also authorised to send messages to the apparatus 10 as will be discussed below. Preferably, the interested party 18 is in a position to alert the community of a potential flood or flash flood. The warning could be in the form of a news bulletin, siren, text messages, or the like. In any event, the warning will advantageously enable members of the community to take necessary precautionary steps, for example, evacuate the location, or the like:

The apparatus 10 also comprises a central processing unit or processor 20 coupled to the rain gauge 12 and the GSM modem 14. The processor 20 is configured to generate or select a suitable message for transmission via the GSM modem 14 based at least on the rain levels measured by the rain gauge 12 (as will be discussed in greater detail below). To this end, the processor 20 may comprise a plurality of components or modules (Figure 4) which correspond to the functional tasks to be performed by the processor 20. In this regard, "module" in the context of the specification will be understood to include an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, data, or computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure. It follows that a module need not be implemented in software; a module may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Further, the modules need not necessarily be consolidated into one device but may be spread across a plurality of devices in the apparatus 10.

In addition, the processor 20 may include a machine-readable medium, e.g. memory or database 22 in the processor 20, main memory, and/or hard disk drive, which carries a set of instructions to direct the operation of the processor 20. It is to be understood that the processor 16 may be one or more microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing device, resource, hardware, software, or embedded logic.

The processor 20 may operatively be housed a housing which is conveniently resistance to the elements. As mentioned, the memory or database 22 may be provided in the processor 20. In this regard, the memory 22 may store a plurality of predetermined messages for transmission to the interested party 18.

In any event, the processor 20 typically comprises a rain level receiver module 24 configured to receive rain level data from the rain gauge 12, the rain level data being indicative of rain levels measured by the rain gauge 12. The rain level data may be indicative of millimeters of rain measured by the rain gauge. Although it is the rain level data indicative of the rain level that is used by the processor 20, reference to rain level will be used for ease of explanation.

The processor 20 also comprises a rai level determining module 26 configured to determine if the rain level measured by the rain gauge 2 is indicative of at least an impending flood or rain stopping/stopped. In particular, the module 26 is configured to compare the rain level received via the rain level receiver module 24 with at least a flood rain level threshold stored in the memory 22. The rain levels and the threshold may be numerical values in millimeters of rain, the module 26 therefore comprising a comparator to make the comparison. The tipping bucket rain gauge 12 has approximately 0.254mm per tip. In this regard, the thresholds can be set from 0.254mm to ~8 meters (32767 * 0.254mm). Following the comparison, if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the flood rain level threshold, the module 26 is configured to determine that the received rain level is indicative of an impending flood at the particular location. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the module 24 may make the determination described above in a number of ways, for example by referring to a look-up table of rain levels to determine if the received rain level is indicative of an impending flood.

Similarly, the module 26 is configured to compare successive rain levels over short periods of time during rain, and determine that rain is stopping or stopped at the particular location if the successive rain levels over the shorts periods of time are determined to be decreasing (described below) or the rain level received is negligible or below a predetermined rain stopping/stopped threshold also stored in the memory 22.

Advantageously, the processor 20 also comprises a message management module 28 configured to transmit, to the interested party 18 by way of the GSM modem 14, at least a flood warning message or a rain stopping/stopped message, wherein the messages are SMS messages as hereinbefore described. In particular, the module 28 is configured to transmit the flood warning message if the rain level determining module 26 determines that the rain level is indicative of an impending flood. The flood warning message may be arranged to trigger an alarm, or the like.

The messages transmitted may form part of rainfall data, the rainfall data being associated with the rain levels determined or measured by the rain gauge 12 as described herein.

Similarly, the module 28 is configured to transmit the rain stopping/stopped message if the rain level determining module 26 determines that the rain level measured by the rain gauge 12 is indicative of rain stopping or indicative of rain already stopped.

In one example embodiment, the module 26 is configured to determine if rain has stopped for a predetermined period before the module 28 transmits the rain stopped message. In this regard, it will be understood that the apparatus 10 may be continuously operating. However, only transmits messages once rain has started or has ceased for a predetermined period of time.

It will be appreciated that the module 28 may generate the messages for transmission. However, in a preferred example embodiment, the module 28 selects or retrieves the suitable message from memory 22 for transmission. The module 28 may retrieve a pro-forma type of message and simply add in a rain level, date, time, etc. In addition, the module 28 may indicate the time of the reading or measurements for management purposes at least. Also, the messages are advantageously transmitted in real-time thereby ensuring up to date information about rainfall at a particular location. This is particularly useful for warning of impending floods.

In addition, the rain level determining module 26 may be. configured to compare the rain level received via the rain level receiver module 24 with one or more intermediate rain level thresholds stored in the memory 22, wherein the intermediate rain level thresholds are less than the flood rain level threshold and may be higher than the rain stopping/stopped threshold. The module 26 may then be configured to determine that received rain level is increasing at the particular location if the received rain level is equal to or greater than the one or more intermediate level thresholds. The message management module 28 may then be configured to transmit a rain increasing message if the rain level determining module determines that the received rain level is increasing.

It follows that there may be a plurality of intermediate level thresholds and associated messages thereby to alert the interested party 18 that the rain levels are increasing.

Although only three messages may be sent from the apparatus 10, viz. rain increasing, rain stopped, and flood warning messages, in certain example embodiments, not shown, in a similar fashion as described above using the intermediate level thresholds, the module 26 may be configured to determine if rain is stopping if a decrease in rainfall is registered for successive measurements. For example, if the rain level is at a first intermediate level at say 7.00pm, and during the next hour the rainfall level drops constantly to a few intermediate levels below the first intermediate level, it may be determined that rainfall is stopping, bearing in mind that the intermediate levels below the first intermediate level are associated with lower rain levels. A suitable rainfall stopping message may be transmitted until the rainfall has stopped, for example, at a negligible rain level. ln certain example embodiments, the level thresholds may be bands or ranges.

In another example embodiment, the elements of the apparatus 10 need not all be present at the same location, they may be spread out over a distance although communicatively coupled to each other, for example, wirelessly. In other example embodiments the rain gauge 12 and the modem 14 may be hard wired to the processor 20. Further, the apparatus 10 may be an integrally formed or assembled unit. In any event, it is crucial that the processor 20 be configured to obtain measurements from the rain gauge and to communicate over the network 16 via the modem 14.

In addition to transmitting messages, the apparatus 10 may be configured to receive command messages from one or more interested parties or users 18 via SMS messages. To this end, the processor comprises a user management module 30 to enable users 18 to request and/or update information on the apparatus 10. It will be appreciated that the users 18 need to be pre-authorised to receive and/or transmit messages from/to the apparatus 10. The MSISDNs (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Numbers) associated with these pre-authorised users 18 are then stored in memory 20.

In any event, by way of the module 30, an authorised user 18 may conveniently be able to add a new MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number) to the apparatus 10, for example, a new recipient of messages from the apparatus 10 simply via an SMS message. Similarly, the user may make a request to the apparatus 10 to remove one or more MSISDNs from memory 22.

In one example embodiment, the SMS message sent to the apparatus 10 needs to comprise a password or code in order for the apparatus 10 to react thereto. The module 30 may therefore be configured to receive SMS messages from users 18, via the GSM modem 14, comprising a password and a request. The module 30 may then only take action if the password is correct and/or the number is stored in the memory 22. It will be appreciated that the password may be an alphanumeric, numeric, of character based. It follows that the module 30 may validate the received password in a number of ways, for example, comparing the received password with one stored in memory 22.

For every request, the module 30 may take the necessary requested action if possible and provide a suitable reply, for example, "number added successfully", "apparatus failed to save new number in memory", "no memory to save new number, delete certain number", etc.

The users 18 may request a full list of numbers stored in the memory 22 by sending a suitable request, with a password. The module 30 may then be configured to transmit the list of MSISDNs stored in the memory 22 to the requestor if the password and/or the requestor's MSISDN is validated.

It will be appreciated that certain commands may only be reserved for apparatus administrators.

The module 30 may also be configured to receive SMS messages to enable or disable the sending or one or more messages. The module 30 may enable or disable certain messages accordingly if the password and/or MSISDN of the requestor are verified.

In an example embodiment, the module 30 may also be configured to receive SMS request messages for SMS alert settings. The module 30 may transmit the SMS alert setting, for example, the thresholds, the times of transmissions, time and date settings, or the like to the requestor accordingly if the password and/or MSISDN of the requestor are verified. Similarly, past rainfall readings may also be requested and transmitted to an authorized user 18. T/IB2011/053481

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The module 30 is configured to permit a user 18 to change their password, edit or update rain threshold values, request passwords (if part of admin group), or the like via SMSs if the password and/or MSISDN of the requestor are verified accordingly.

In this way, the apparatus 10 may be managed and/or configurable remotely by way of SMS messages.

It will be noted that the apparatus 10 is powered by a conventional 220 Volt 15 Amp mains power supply. The 220 Vac from mains is converted and reduced to approximately 12 Vdc supplying power to the apparatus 10 and charging a back-up 12V battery.

A power supply unit converts the 220 Vas to approximately 12 Vdc which continuously charges the 12 Vdc sealed lead-acid chargeable battery. This battery has a durable long life span but must be kept charged. Once the battery's voltage drops too low, the battery will not be rechargeable and has to be replaced.

If there is a break in the 220Vac supply, the battery will continue to supply the necessary 12 Vdc to the apparatus 10 for approximately two days.

In a preferred example embodiment, the apparatus 10 is advantageously powered by a lithium ion battery which is used mostly in cellular telephones. The housing may house the processor 20 as well as the lithium ion battery thereby making it as light as a cellular telephone.

The lithium ion battery has max charge voltage of 4.2V with a capacity of 4000mAH. However, it will be noted that one could use a light capacity battery, for example 2000mAH, if required.

It will be appreciated that the input must be minimum 12V and it must be capable of providing a minimum of 7.5W to charge the battery. ln certain example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may form part of a larger forecast network. The SMS messages may therefore be configured to update a database at a remote forecast network location.

Also, in certain example embodiments, the processor 20 is configured to perform statistical analysis on the received rain level data to provide statistical data on rainfall patterns, or the like to requestors.

The apparatus 10 may typically form part of a rainfall monitoring system. The rainfall monitoring system is typically in wireless communication with a plurality of apparatuses 10. The system comprises most of the processing components of the apparatus 10, particularly the processor 20, and is therefore not illustrated herein. In any event, the system is configured to simply receive the rain level data from one or more of the plurality of apparatuses 10 via a communication network, e.g. network 16, and process the same in a similar fashion the processor 20. To this end the system also comprises a communication module similar or matched to module 14. In any event, it will be noted that the system is therefore configured to transmit the messages to interested parties accordingly.

Example embodiments will now be further described in use with reference to Figure 5. The example method shown in Figure 5 is described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, although it is to be appreciated that the example methods may be applicable to other apparatuses (not illustrated) as well.

In use, at least the rain gauge 12 is placed atop a stable truly vertical stand or roof 32 of a building at a particular location within an outlying or rural community. As previously mentioned, all the elements of the apparatus 12 need not be physically connected to each other and may be wirelessly connected to each other.

Although continuously monitoring rainfall, the apparatus 10 only transmits rain once rainfall has begun and/ when it is stopping or stopped. Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings where a flow diagram of a method of monitoring rainfall is generally indicated by reference numeral 40.

The method 40 comprises measuring rain levels, at block 42, by way of a rain gauge 12, for example.

The measured rain levels are then received by a processor, for example, module 24 of processor 20, for further processing. The further processing may comprise the module 26 at least determining if the measured rain levels are indicative of one or more of an impending flood, rain stopping, and rain level increasing.

In particular, the method 40 comprises determining, at block 44 by way of the module 26, if the rain has stopped. This may comprise comparing a received rain level with a pre-determined threshold as previously described. However, it will be understood that if the rain has stopped then the received rain level will be negligible. In any event, the method may comprise determining if there is no rain for a predetermined period of time. If there is no or negligible rain measured for a predetermined period of time, the method 40 may comprise selecting a rain stopped SMS message from the memory 22 and transmitting, at block 46 via the modem 14, the message to one or more users or interested parties 18.

At block 44, if the rain has not stopped, the method 40 comprises determining, at block 48 by way of the module 26, if the received rain level is greater than or equal to the intermediate rain threshold stored in memory 22. It will be appreciated that there may be a plurality of steps 48 corresponding to different intermediate rain thresholds between the rain stopped threshold and the flood rain level threshold. However, only one is shown for ease of explanation. At block 48, if the rain level is greater than or equal to the intermediate threshold level, the method 40 comprises determining, at block 50 by way of module 26, if the rain level is greater than or equal to the flood rain level threshold stored in memory 22.

At block 48, if the rain level is less than the intermediate threshold, the method 40 continues to monitor the rain level to determine if the rain has stopped, block 44, and/or if the rain level is greater than or equal to the intermediate threshold, at block 48.

At block 50, if the rain level is less than the flood rain level threshold, the method 40 comprises selecting a rain increasing message, and transmitting the same, at block 52 via the modem 14, to one or more users or interested parties 8. It will be noted that once this message is transmitted, there may be a possibility of the rain stopping or increasing. In this regard, the method 40 proceeds to reiterate steps 44 and 48 to determine if the rain has stopped or is increasing. Multiple intermediate thresholds and steps 48 enable a user 18 to be alerted incrementall of the rain conditions at the particular location. This is enhanced by the transmitted messages being transmitted in real-time with a time and/or date stamp for management and/or accountability purposes, or the like.

Also at block 50, if the rain level is greater than or equal to the predetermined flood rain level threshold stored in memory 22, the method 40 comprises selecting a flood warning message, and transmitting the same, at block 54, via the modem 14, to one or more users or interested parties 18. The users or interested parties 18 will therefore have to react accordingly to ensure the safety of the community. In certain example embodiments, the flood warning message is an audible message, siren or the like to alert communities directly of the impending flood.

As described above, the intermediate threshold may also be used to determine if rain is stopping.

The invention as hereinbefore described provides a low cost, low maintenance, convenient apparatus to alert outlying or rural communities at least of an impending flood or flash flood. The apparatus as described automatically reports rainfall when it has fallen, in real-time, thereby to given community members ample time to evacuate, or take other precautionary steps. All current rainfall readings from the apparatus can be monitored remotely at any time, with statistics or statistical analysis if required. The apparatus can also advantageously link into a forecasting network, providing a data back-up network.

It will be appreciated that the above is only one embodiment of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention.