If you live in a floodplain and there is a risk of flooding it is very important that you keep yourself informed of the flooding situation for your area.
Listen to the radio flood broadcast
Bureau of Meteorology flood warnings, road closures, and advice on evacuations and property protection will be broadcast over local radio stations ABC Illawarra FM 97.3, 2ST AM 999, Power FM 94.9 and 2UUU FM 104.5.
Call the SES
For emergency help in floods or storms call the SES on 132 500
Monitor flood levels
You can monitor flood levels of major waterways by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology website (new window).
The Bureau of Meteorology is Australia’s national weather, climate and water agency. The Bureau provides forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice on rainfall and flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology uses hydrological models to predict flood levels at key locations in selected river basins based on rainfall and river level information. These forecasts are used to construct flood warning messages which are broadcast through the media and sent to other agencies for local dissemination and action.
Providing warning systems for flash floods can be difficult as there is a short timeframe between the rainfall and flooding. Accurate information on flooding location can be difficult using conventional equipment because intense rainfall can be localised. Technologies such as radar can be used by the Bureau however flash flood warnings are usually very generalised. If more site-specific warnings are required, the involvement of other agencies at a local level is essential and the Bureau assists in establishing local flash flood warning systems through specialist advice on equipment and hydrological forecasting procedures.
Read the SES flood safe guides