In February 2023 floods following Cyclone Gabrielle dumped 20 million tonnes of silt across 4 productive farming valleys in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay. As recovery operations disturbed the silt dense clouds of dust posed a new hazard that lingered for months after the floods.
Residents, recovery workers and health managers needed information on the risk posed, but no pre-existing method for such a risk existed.
New sensor tech has changed the game
In the past we would have had to rely on a computer model, with little opportunity to test its validity. New sensor technology has changed that. We created “DustGrid” – an approach to use simple sensors easily deployed even in a disaster zone – to observe quickly and in detail what’s actually happening on the ground. We can then use real-world observations to calibrate or create models as required.
Our work in Hawkes Bay confirmed that many of the assumptions and simplifications in our models were wrong or inappropriate. Our data showed that recovery operations posed the biggest risk enabling mitigation to be focused where they would have the greatest benefit.
A new approach to dust and emergency management
Unlike pure modelling data, DustGrid data is hard to argue with.
With our wide experience in public engagement the key in risk management, especially during emergencies, is to provide clear, meaningful and actionable information to those who need it. A key aspect of our approach is to involve stakeholders in the design and implementation of any DustGrid project with particular attention to how data is validated, accessed, presented and shared.
We are keen to offer DustGrid as a method for assessing and managing known hazards, such as quarrying and unpaved road dust, as well as emergency events and natural hazards, like Cyclone Gabrielle.
