GEONICA implements advanced Early Warning systems focused on the following risk areas:

• RAINALERT: Flash Floods and Heavy Rains
• LIGHTNING ALERT: Lightning and storms
• GAMMALERT: Environmental gamma radiation
• SISMOALERT: Seismic activity

An Early Warning System (EWS) is a key element in reducing disaster risk. It avoids the loss of human life and reduces the economic and material impact of natural disasters. To be effective, Early Warning systems must disseminate alerts and warnings efficiently.

A complete and effective Early Warning System supports four main functions:

• Data collection by monitoring and detecting events continuously
• Data transmission to a data reception center
• Risk assessment based on data analysis by the Authorities
• Dissemination of notices and alerts

Risk analysis involves systematically collecting data and running risk assessments of predefined hazards and vulnerabilities. Monitoring and warning involves a study of the factors that point to impending disaster, as well as the methods used to detect these factors.

Dissemination and communication consist of the communication of information and the issuance of risk alerts so that they reach those who are in danger in a version that is clear and understandable. Finally, sufficient response capacity requires the creation of a national and community response plan, test plan, and fostering readiness to ensure that people know how to respond to warnings.