Bureau of Meteorology flood forecast and warning services are now operational for the Burns Point and Wardell River gauges, enabling both the Bureau and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) to issue flood warnings for those locations, based on forecast river levels.
The new services follow ongoing calls for stronger local flood intelligence after significant gaps in real-time flood information were highlighted during the 2022 floods. They improve access to live, up-to-date flood data and flood level forecasts and warnings for emergency responders, local councils and the wider community, while helping the Bureau and NSW SES deliver more timely and tailored warnings during flood events.
While river heights have long been available at Burns Point and Wardell, there were previously no official minor, moderate or major flood classifications linked to the gauges.
The new forecast and warning services now provide dedicated flood predictions for these communities, allowing the Bureau to issue flood watches and quantitative flood warnings for these locations, and the NSW SES to inform community actions through the issue of Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warnings based on expected local impacts.
NSW SES Acting Assistant Commissioner Brigid Rice said the improvements marked an important step forward in helping communities better prepare for future flood events.
“These new flood warning services mean people in Ballina and Wardell will receive clearer information about what rising river levels are expected to mean for their local area, giving them more time to prepare, protect their property and leave early if needed.
“By providing earlier and more tailored warnings, we are giving communities the information they need to make safer decisions before floodwaters impact their homes, businesses and roads.
“The new service is already operational and were tested during recent severe weather, with a minor flood warning issued for Ballina using the new warning system.”
The NSW SES will use Bureau forecasts from the Burns Point and Wardell gauges to issue Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warnings when flooding is expected on the Richmond River.
The flood forecast services form part of the Flood Warning Improvement Project, delivered by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the $75 million Joint Flood Recovery and Resilience Program, funded by the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Rice encouraged residents to become familiar with the new warning services as part of their flood preparedness.
“Warnings are most effective when people have prepared ahead,” she said.
“Download the Hazards Near Me app, create a Watch Zone for your local area, understand your flood risk and make a household emergency plan now. Being prepared before severe weather arrives can make all the difference.”
Stay up to date with the latest Bureau flood warnings for your area through the Bureau website or the BOM Weather app. More detailed community warnings with calls to action from the NSW are to be found in the Hazards Near Me App.
