SHAR- Alarm System that notifies communities living
in streams of rising water levels during hurricane season
Isabelle Nicole Cánovas Alemán (2007), Sofia Ouradou Hrudkova (2007), Violeta Díaz García (2008)
Instituto Peninsular, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
In Mexico, Baja California Sur has been a frequent impact point for hurricanes and storms. Its location makes it an extremely vulnerable region to these phenomena, with floods being the most significant impact on our community. This situation presents the state’s greatest challenge, as 65.7% of the population lives illegally in stream areas. These streams are the main source of flooding since they become the natural channel for water flowing to the sea, where strong currents sweep everything in their path. The most alarming obstacle is the lack of an effective prevention system that could alert the population about rising water levels in the streams where they live.
That is why our team developed a project that began with a prototype for an audible alarm system, which, upon detecting a rise in water levels, will emit two alerts to warn nearby communities and support the Civil Protection evacuation plan. Currently, the prototype has evolved into the “SHAR” system and is installed in the “Salto Seco” stream in Baja California Sur, where a scaled simulation has already been conducted with satisfactory results. In conclusion, this alarm system is not only an investment in technology but also in the resilience and safety of the community, strengthening Civil Protection efforts and contributing to a safer future in the face of natural disasters.
