HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Plagued by repeated flooding, the city of Hot Springs now has a warning system in place so officials can notify residents if conditions quickly become dangerous.

Hot Springs hasn't had a flood warning system in place since 2000, when the previous system broke. 

The new system uses satellite data transmissions from multiple U.S. Geological Survey gauges to track rainfall and water flow.

"Flooding is certainly a natural hazard that has wreaked havoc in Hot Springs several times over the last 100 years," said John Terry, director of the USGS Arkansas Water Science Center.

Hot Springs has seen several major floods in the downtown area. Some downtown businesses flooded in April after weeks of wet weather, including more than 11 inches of rain in March.

The new warning system will monitor rainfall amounts, water level and water volume per second. 

The six gauges will transmit information hourly to a Web site, http://ar.water.usgs.gov/hotsprings. If the rainfall exceeds .3 inches per 15 minutes or 2 inches per hour, or if stages rise by 4 feet, an alarm is triggered and automated phone calls are made to city, USGS and National Weather Service officials. They, in turn, will decide whether to issue warnings to residents.

"Through partnership between the city, the USGS, and the NWS, we'll utilize modern technology to help provide greater protection for our citizens, their homes, businesses, and property, and to give them advance warning of potential major flooding events," Mayor Mike Bush said.

The new system is paid for by city stormwater drainage fees, along with a contribution from USGS.