Burringbar and Crabbes Creeks Flash Flood Alert

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Flash flood alert service now live!


Thanks for participating

Tweed Shire Council, with assistance from NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and other government agencies, has developed a flash flood alert system that reflects the community's needs.

Thanks to those who participated in our community engagement, the new flash flood alert system for the Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek areas is now being trialled.

Alerts are distributed via SMS, email and recorded voice calls (landline) – these options were selected based on the community’s preference.

It's important to note that this service 'does not replace' but complements advice from NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other leading authorities during flood events. Please continue to follow directions from these agencies.

Register for free now to receive automated SMS, email and voice call alerts for the Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek areas.


Background

Previous flood risk management studies have shown that these areas are subject to flash flooding with little to no warning. The March 2017 flood event proved this with many people caught unawares by flooding.

Funded under the NSW and Commonwealth Government's Natural Disaster Resilience Program, the flash flood alert system enables residents to prepare their properties and/or evacuate to a safe place prior to the onset of flooding to avoid being caught out by flooding in the middle of the night.

Australian Goverment logo New South Wales Government logo


Flooding in Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek

Photo of flooded Greenvale Court in BurringbarMany areas of Burringbar and Crabbes Creek catchments are known to flood. Key areas of concern include:

  • Dignan Street/Hunter Street/Tweed Valley Way areas
  • Mooball (both north and south of the railway embankment)
  • Crabbes Creek Village
  • various rural road crossings (e.g. Greenvale Court culvert)

View the map of flooding areas.

A key consideration for flooding in the area is the lack of warning time. Floods can occur within a few hours of heavy rainfall leaving little or no time for residents to prepare or evacuate.

The small Burringbar Creek and Crabbes Creek catchments are not covered by the Bureau of Meteorology flood warnings as the time between rainfall and flooding is too short. Therefore, Council developed an automated flash flood alert system to provide advanced notice of approaching floods to local residents.

2017 flood damage to Shackles Bridge in Burringbar (image courtesy of Serena V Dolinska)2017 flood damage to Shackles Bridge in Burringbar (image courtesy of Serena V Dolinska)


The system

The flash flood alert system has two main components: flood forecasting and alert distribution.

The flood forecasting system involves a cloud-based computer system, running continuously, that accepts data from the local rain and stream gauges and combines this with various Bureau of Meteorology prediction products to forecast flooding into the near future.

The forecasting system is being monitored at all times. When predictions exceed certain thresholds an alert will be distributed to the community, SES and Council advising of approaching flooding, the expected timeframe and magnitude at key locations.

For context, below are links to similar flood alert systems other councils are already using:


Community consultation

The community was asked to complete a survey to help design the flash flood alert system. This survey has now closed.

The community provided input on the following key questions:

  • What are your biggest flood concerns?
  • What flood impacts do you need to know about in advance (e.g. road access closing)?
  • How much warning time do you need to prepare your home?
  • How much warning time do you need to evacuate?
  • How would you like to receive alerts (SMS, phone, siren etc)?
  • What level of flooding do you consider minor/moderate/major at your location?

Flash flood alert service now live!


Thanks for participating

Tweed Shire Council, with assistance from NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and other government agencies, has developed a flash flood alert system that reflects the community's needs.

Thanks to those who participated in our community engagement, the new flash flood alert system for the Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek areas is now being trialled.

Alerts are distributed via SMS, email and recorded voice calls (landline) – these options were selected based on the community’s preference.

It's important to note that this service 'does not replace' but complements advice from NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other leading authorities during flood events. Please continue to follow directions from these agencies.

Register for free now to receive automated SMS, email and voice call alerts for the Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek areas.


Background

Previous flood risk management studies have shown that these areas are subject to flash flooding with little to no warning. The March 2017 flood event proved this with many people caught unawares by flooding.

Funded under the NSW and Commonwealth Government's Natural Disaster Resilience Program, the flash flood alert system enables residents to prepare their properties and/or evacuate to a safe place prior to the onset of flooding to avoid being caught out by flooding in the middle of the night.

Australian Goverment logo New South Wales Government logo


Flooding in Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek

Photo of flooded Greenvale Court in BurringbarMany areas of Burringbar and Crabbes Creek catchments are known to flood. Key areas of concern include:

  • Dignan Street/Hunter Street/Tweed Valley Way areas
  • Mooball (both north and south of the railway embankment)
  • Crabbes Creek Village
  • various rural road crossings (e.g. Greenvale Court culvert)

View the map of flooding areas.

A key consideration for flooding in the area is the lack of warning time. Floods can occur within a few hours of heavy rainfall leaving little or no time for residents to prepare or evacuate.

The small Burringbar Creek and Crabbes Creek catchments are not covered by the Bureau of Meteorology flood warnings as the time between rainfall and flooding is too short. Therefore, Council developed an automated flash flood alert system to provide advanced notice of approaching floods to local residents.

2017 flood damage to Shackles Bridge in Burringbar (image courtesy of Serena V Dolinska)2017 flood damage to Shackles Bridge in Burringbar (image courtesy of Serena V Dolinska)


The system

The flash flood alert system has two main components: flood forecasting and alert distribution.

The flood forecasting system involves a cloud-based computer system, running continuously, that accepts data from the local rain and stream gauges and combines this with various Bureau of Meteorology prediction products to forecast flooding into the near future.

The forecasting system is being monitored at all times. When predictions exceed certain thresholds an alert will be distributed to the community, SES and Council advising of approaching flooding, the expected timeframe and magnitude at key locations.

For context, below are links to similar flood alert systems other councils are already using:


Community consultation

The community was asked to complete a survey to help design the flash flood alert system. This survey has now closed.

The community provided input on the following key questions:

  • What are your biggest flood concerns?
  • What flood impacts do you need to know about in advance (e.g. road access closing)?
  • How much warning time do you need to prepare your home?
  • How much warning time do you need to evacuate?
  • How would you like to receive alerts (SMS, phone, siren etc)?
  • What level of flooding do you consider minor/moderate/major at your location?
Page last updated: 19 Oct 2022, 09:36 AM