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Residents of Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek are urged to register to receive flash flood alerts via SMS, email and recorded voice calls (landline) for free, ahead of the coming wet season.
Council, with assistance from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and other government agencies, is launching a new automated flash flood alert system for the villages, following a successful trial last summer.
Council Engineer – Flooding and Stormwater Leon McLean said previous events and Council’s flood risk management studies have shown these areas are subject to flash flooding with little to no warning.
“The small Burringbar Creek and Crabbes Creek catchment areas are not covered by the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) flood warnings, as the time between rainfall and flooding is too short,” Mr McLean said.
“The new Burringbar and Crabbes Creeks flash flood alert service is an automated system that will provide residents with advanced notice of approaching floods.
“The new early warning system was developed following extensive consultation with local residents and lead agencies and we are grateful for everyone’s input on this critical service.”
The system has 2 main components: flood forecasting and alert distribution.
The flood forecasting system involves a Cloud-based computer system, running continuously, that accepts data from local rain and stream gauges and combines this with various BOM prediction products to forecast flooding in the near future.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry thanked the community for their participation in the project and said the forecasting system would be monitored at all times by Council’s alerting partner, Early Warning Network.
“Thank you to the residents who participated in our community consultation. You told us what your biggest flood concerns were, what flood impacts you need to know about in advance, how much warning time you need to prepare your home and evacuate, how you would like to receive alerts and what level of flooding you consider to be minor, moderate or major,” Cr Cherry said.
“The community’s input was critical to designing a flash flood alert system that reflects their specific needs.
“When flood forecasts exceed certain thresholds, the predictions will be verified and an alert will be distributed to the community, SES and Council, advising of approaching flooding, the expected timeframe and magnitude at key locations.
“Being able to know when evacuation paths are likely to be cut in these small catchments is critical, so these flood alerts, with specific information about what roads are compromised and where, is a really helpful tool for knowing whether you can evacuate or reach your home safely if you are out at the time.
“It’s important to note the new flash flood alert service does not replace but rather complements advice from the SES, BOM and other leading authorities during flood events. Please continue to follow directions from these agencies.”
SES Murwillumbah Unit Commander Inspector Grant ‘Jack’ Frost said the pilot study had proven beneficial and encouraged residents from the 3 villages to sign up for the service.
“With another wet season well and truly underway and predictions of another La Nina weather pattern coming to fruition, it is critical members of the community are prepared in case of another flood,” Inspector Frost said.
“Flash flooding, as the name suggests, can occur quickly, and there is no better way to receive a warning than direct to your mobile phone or email inbox. I urge residents to sign up to this flood alert system as soon as possible – you can never be too prepared.”
The system was created in collaboration with officers from Council, SES, BOM and the Department of Planning and Environment and funded under the NSW and Australian Government's Natural Disaster Resilience Program.
To register for the free flash flood alerts, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-alert.
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