If you received a flood advice alert or cyclone warning right now, would you know what to do?
“Many Australians think they would,” says Geoff Evans, Co-founder of Disaster Relief Australia. “But over the years I’ve attended some of the country’s most devastating weather events, and I’ve seen one mistake repeated over and over again.”
And that mistake is this: “Even though we have a nationally consistent weather warning system in the Australian Warning System (AWS)1 , and it provides clear advice on what to do and when, people just don’t know what official warnings specifically mean for them – and, therefore, they fail to take appropriate actions,” says Geoff.
Another extremely common mistake, says Geoff, is assuming a flood will be “the same as the last one.”
“I’ve seen this mindset contribute to some pretty disastrous outcomes,” he notes.
Tales from Taree floods – why you shouldn’t rely on historic flood levels
It was a lesson many residents of Taree, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, experienced firsthand in May 2025 when the Manning River flooded at a level never seen before, trapping some residents inside their homes.2
Only four years earlier, Taree had been hit by a “1-in-100-year” flooding event.3, 4
Geoff recounts his time on the ground in Taree, during Disaster Relief Australia’s 2025 recovery effort:
“Everyone knew that another flood was coming, but they thought it would be the same as the 2021 floods. In fact, it was much, much worse,” he says.
“I visited three flood-impacted Taree residents – and all three had different expectations of the unfolding disaster.
“One was a retired police officer on a farm just out of town. She’d gone to bed thinking the flood was going to be the same as last time but woke up at 1am with a bad feeling.
“So, she checked the Bureau of Meteorology’s rain gauge height, compared it to her own finished floor level, and realised her home would soon be a metre underwater. In the four hours before dawn, she packed her most important possessions, moved them out, and got her cattle to higher ground. Her preparation paid off.
“Just down the road, another farmer had also moved her cattle – but only to slightly higher ground before heading to bed. By morning, they’d all been washed out to sea.
“And then there was an elderly lady only a few hundred metres away. She’d missed the text warnings because her phone was off. She woke in the dark to find water at the end of her bed on the second floor and had to be rescued from her balcony in her nightie. She lost everything.
“It’s a perfect example of how understanding what warnings mean for your specific property or situation can make all the difference.
“Warnings can’t be tailor-made to every single person, so the responsibility is on you to stay informed during an unfolding weather disaster.”
Common questions around weather warnings
To help you make informed decisions in the event of a severe weather emergency, here are some answers to common questions about weather warnings and weather terminology.
Will a 1-in-100-year flood only happen once every 100 years?
This is a common misinterpretation of the phrase. A 1-in-100-year flood is a flood that has a 1% chance of happening in any given year, regardless of an area’s flooding history.4 Generally speaking, there is a 50/50 likelihood of a 1-in-100-year flood level being exceeded at any location in a 70-year lifespan.4
It’s not raining here… Why is there a flood warning?
“We call that a ‘blue sky flood’. It’s floodwater that’s travelled downstream into a catchment area from a region where it did rain,” explains Geoff.
Sometimes that rain can take days or even weeks to reach you. As was the case for many towns along the River Murray in South Australia in 2023 – one of the worst floods the state ever recorded.5
“That’s why it’s important to always heed the weather warnings and act – even if the sky is clear,” he says.
Will I always get AWS alerts on my phone?
While emergency alerts are an important part of Australia’s disaster response strategy, they won’t always be used in every situation.6
Official alerts6 rely on working telecommunications networks, so delivery during a flood or cyclone can’t always be guaranteed.
“So don’t just wait for the situation to worsen – download the relevant emergency apps for your state, enable push notifications, and understand your risk before you need to act,” advises Geoff.
And if you do receive an emergency alert and the caller ID number or message header on your phone displays +61 444 444 444, it’s a genuine alert. Treat it seriously and don’t block the number.6
How to set up weather warnings relevant for you
What’s the best way to get real-time updates during a flood or cyclone?
Along with emergency apps, you can keep up to date by following the social media accounts of your state’s or territory’s emergency service or visiting their websites, suggests Geoff.
“Having a battery-powered radio will also allow you to listen to ABC Radio emergency broadcasts, even if you lose power.”
What’s the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?
Australia has a nationalised Flood Warning Service Program, run by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). It issues flood forecasting and warnings, in cooperation with your local emergency service, water authority or council.7
Think of BOM’s Flood Watch as an early heads-up. It means flooding is possible, so it’s time to stay alert, check your plan, monitor updates and be ready to act.7
“A Flood Warning is more serious. It signals that flooding is either happening or about to happen – and that you may need to take action straight away to help protect yourself and your property,” says Geoff.
How do I work out what a flood alert means for me?
“Start by talking to neighbours who’ve experienced floods before. They can tell you what happens to surrounding roads and how long you might have to get out,” advises Geoff.
“Also check your council’s flood mapping online. Look up your property’s finished floor level and compare that to flood modelling.
“For example, BOM might tell you the river will peak at a certain height, but the critical step is knowing how that translates to your own floor level or stock paddocks.
“Similarly, a number on a flood gauge only becomes useful when you connect it to your home, the slope of your land, and your evacuation plan.
“To really benefit from a flood warning, you need to connect it to your own situation – what it means for your property, your access roads, and how you’ll respond if water rises.”
Does a Category 1 cyclone mean it’s not dangerous?
The risk of a Category 1 cyclone depends on where you live, says Dr David Henderson, Chief Research Engineer at James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station.
“Even lower-category cyclones can bring destructive winds, storm surges and flooding,” says David.
“In parts of NW Western Australia, for example, buildings are designed to withstand Category 5 cyclones. But in South East Queensland (SEQ), where homes aren’t typically built to the same level of resilience, even a weaker system can cause significant problems.”
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which struck SEQ in March 2025 is a case in point.
“Many people were without power for days or even weeks, which brings its own dangers like heat stress, food spoilage, and downed power lines,” says David.
“You should take every severe weather system seriously – and prepare accordingly.”
Does the danger end once a cyclone has passed?
No, it doesn’t. The time immediately after a cyclone may prove as dangerous as the event itself.8
“In the eye of a cyclone, for example, conditions can suddenly become calm – but then the winds quickly return from the opposite direction just as strong. That catches people out,” explains David.
“Even after the system has moved on, hazards remain. Broken solar panels can still generate electricity – glass and debris are everywhere.
“Heavy rain can also continue after the cyclone passes, sometimes leading to flash flooding. That happened with Cyclone Debbie in 2017, where flooding was worsened by vegetation blocking drains.
“So even if the skies have cleared, you still need to stay alert, follow official updates, and keep safety front of mind.”
What is a bomb cyclone – and is it dangerous?
In mid-2025, when a severe low-pressure weather system threatened Australia’s east coast with destructive winds and flash flooding, the dramatic-sounding term “bomb cyclone” dominated news coverage.9
If you’re wondering what exactly a bomb cyclone is, and how it differs from a regular tropical cyclone…
A bomb cyclone is a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system that forms outside the tropics, driven by the clash of cold, continental air and warm, moist ocean air.8, 9
Unlike tropical cyclones, which draw energy from warm tropical seas, bomb cyclones feed on sharp temperature contrasts in the atmosphere and occur mostly in winter. They can bring powerful winds, heavy rain and large surf – sometimes with little warning – making them potentially hazardous even if they don’t make landfall.9, 10
And because they can develop so quickly, you should stay across official cyclone warnings and be ready to respond promptly.
The content in this article has been prepared based on current government and emergency services guidelines and expert advice provided at the time of publishing. This information is subject to change. Please be sure to check for the latest information and always consider your personal circumstances regarding home safety preparedness and response.
Where you have increased your Youi insurance cover or reduced your excess within 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of a flood, storm, hail or bushfire occurring, cover will be limited to the amount that was effective prior to the change. Loss, damage or legal liability caused by, resulting or arising from flood, storm, hail or bushfire during the first 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of your policy first being purchased is excluded unless certain conditions are met. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full T&Cs.
1 Source: Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience – Australian Warning System
2 Source: NSW State Emergency Service – Highest flood on record for Taree, rescues underway for people trapped by floodwater, May 2025
3 Source: ABC News – On this one street, half the residents lost entire homes to NSW floods, May 2025
4 Source: UNSW Sydney – What is a one-in-100 year weather event? And why do they keep happening so often?, March 2021
5 Source: SA Government – River Murray Flood
6 Source: Emergency Alert – Do not block +61 444 444 444
7 Source: Australian Government – Flood Warning Services
8 Source: Qld Government – Cyclones and severe storms
9 Source: The Guardian – A ‘vigorous’ coastal low is hitting Australia’s east coast. What does it mean, how worried should we be and is it a bomb cyclone?, July 2025
10 Source: 9News – What are ‘bomb cyclones’ and what makes them different?, November 2021
