The quick onset of flooding around Greater Hobart in Au­gust was a wet reminder of the importance of effective warning systems for flood emergencies.

Tasmania State Emergency Service (SES) has since adopted the Australian Warning System (AWS) to provide communities up-to-date information and advice should a flood occur. The Tasmania SES Flood Warning System consists of three ascending warning levels: Advice (yellow), Watch and Act (orange), and Emergency Warning (red). The warnings are presented in triangles, with a house in the centre and flood levels underneath. These warn­ing triangles will also advise on actions for communities to take, specific to the emergency event. An updated version of the TasALERT.com website will be home to the new flood warn­ing system and all official emer­gency warning and information from the Tasmanian Govern­ment. Tasmania SES social media pages and ABC broad­cast channels will also provide frequent updates as events unfold. The AWS was adopted by Tasmania for bushfires in September 2021. Following the adoption for flood emergencies, there are plans to adopt the AWS for storm emergencies from 2023.

“While states and territories are implementing the AWS at different times subject to their risks and resources, it will be the case in the near future that no matter where or what type of emergency is occurring, the message about what to do will be aligned,” said Tasmania SES Acting Director Leon Smith.

The Tasmania SES Flood Warning System complements the Flood Warnings and Flood Watches issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). BOM warnings, flood modelling, local knowledge, flood history, oper­ational information and inputs from councils will all contribute to the decision to issue a SES Flood Warning.