The flood early warning system provides advanced warning that water levels in Toowoomba and Oakey creeks are likely to reach a level of flooding that could close roads and/or pose a threat to businesses and houses.
As well as sending out alerts, the system can also trigger changes to warning signs so motorists will know to stop and not attempt to cross flooded roads.
How the system works
The flood early warning system is based on a series of water height meters which measure the rate of water level rise at various sites. This information is relayed by radio from each remote site to a central server in Toowoomba, which will trigger alerts if flood levels are imminent. The forecast and real time data are monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The system will then generate automatic notifications in the form of SMS alerts and emails to emergency services.
Sites are located along:
- East and West creeks in Toowoomba
- Cooby, Gorman, Doctor and Oakey creeks in the Oakey area.
How alerts are received
In an emergency, you may receive a voice message on your landline or a text message on your mobile. Alerts are sent based on the location of your landline or the billing address of your mobile. Follow the instructions in the alert or visit this website for more information.
The Oakey warning system aims to provide at least six hours warning before flooding, though this may vary depending on rainfall intensity.
Testing of the system
Generally, testing of the system will be performed with personnel at the location so as not to cause undue concern.
Report damage or request maintenance to flood early warning system sites by contacting us.
We have installed two community alert sirens in our region as part of our disaster management functions. These sirens have been installed to alert residents to a major emergency that is likely to, or will, impact the community’s safety.
The sirens may be activated for events such as bushfire, flood, hazardous material traffic incident or evacuation.
Community alert siren locations
What siren activation sounds like
When the sirens are activated, they will sound for three cycles of five minutes then three minutes silence. This is to ensure as many people as possible in the at-risk area are alerted and reduce any broadcasting limitations caused by winds, vegetation and other background noises such as traffic.
What to do when the siren sounds
If the siren sounds, immediately find further information:
- Visit the Disaster Dashboard.
- Check official social media accounts.
- Listen to ABC and commercial radio.
- Call us on 131 872.
- Contact family, friends, and neighbours nearby.
Who can activate the sirens
Only authorised officers from emergency services or government agencies may request activation if a significant threat exists. Sirens are part of a coordinated hazard warning system, used alongside:
- the emergency alert system (voice messages to landlines, texts to mobiles)
- communication from partner agencies like Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire Department.
Learn more at the Emergency Alert – Australia Wide website.
Testing of the sirens
To ensure readiness, sirens undergo automatic audible testing:
- Dates: Midday on 1 June and 1 December annually.
- Duration: ranges from under 1 minute to a full activation cycle.
Community messaging will be shared ahead of each test. Please remind family and friends to avoid panic during these scheduled tests.
Sirens are not a standalone alert system. Residents should not rely solely on them. Personal preparedness is essential to ensure your household is ready for emergencies. Read more about preparing for emergencies.
In the case of an emergency, you may receive a voice message on your landline or a text message on your mobile phone. 'Emergency alert' is a telephone warning system that emergency services can use to send alerts to communities via landline telephones based on the location of the handset and to mobile phones based on the billing address. If you receive an emergency alert and want more information, follow the instructions in the message or find your local emergency service on this website.
Once a decision to warn communities in an emergency has been made, the emergency services organisations will determine what method will be used, for example, radio, web or TV and whether a telephone alert needs to be issued. A telephone alert is just one way to warn the community and it will not be used in all circumstances.