Flood Warning Systems

Flood Warning Systems (FWS) Overview

Cessnock City Council has installed Flood Warning Systems (FWS) at multiple locations across the Local Government Area to help alert the community to flood hazards. This project aims to ensure residents are informed about the FWS infrastructure in their area, including where the systems are located, how they operate, and what actions to take when a siren is activated. This information will help provide the community with the knowledge needed to respond safely and effectively during a flood event.

Background and Purpose

Cessnock City Council has installed siren-based Flood Warning Systems (FWS) across several locations within the Local Government Area (LGA). These systems were recommended through the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP) process, undertaken in accordance with the NSW Floodplain Development Manual.

The primary purposes of the FWS are to:

• Monitor water levels in local creeks and waterways in real time
• Inform Council and emergency services (NSW SES) of flood events
• Warn residents living in flood-prone areas of rising creek levels and potential flood emergencies
• Help protect life and property by providing early warning of flash flooding

Siren alarm capability has been added to the telemetered river level gauge installations to provide timely warnings to residents in areas that are prone to flash flooding.

How the Flood Warning Systems Work

The FWS are siren-based systems activated by water levels in creeks. Once certain water level thresholds are reached, the systems activate sirens to alert residents in flood-prone areas. There are three trigger levels:

Once the First Trigger Level is reached, the system sends an SMS notification to the NSW SES and Council, who can then activate the siren remotely if required. If creek levels continue to rise and reach the Second Trigger Level, the siren will automatically activate. The siren can also be activated or cancelled remotely or on site without the trigger levels being reached.

What should I do when I hear the Alarm?

If you hear the Flood Warning Siren, you should: 

• Follow your own flood plan if you have one 
• If your property is adjacent to the creek, gather essential belongings and your animals 
• Evacuate your dwelling and head to higher ground immediately 
• Do not attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters

Flood Warning Systems in the Cessnock LGA

There are currently Flood Warning Systems installed across the Cessnock Local Government Area, including the following locations:

Mount View Road (Basin) Flood Warning System

Hall	Address
Location	Mount View Road (Basin, Cessnock)
Catchment/Area	Cessnock
System Type	Siren Based Flood Warning System
Purpose	Monitors water levels and provides early flood warning alerts to nearby flood-prone areas
Managed By	Cessnock City Council in coordination with NSW SES

Short Street Cessnock Flood Warning System

Hall	Address
Location	Short Street, Cessnock
Catchment/Area	Cessnock Urban Area
System Type	Siren Based Flood Warning System
Purpose	Monitors water levels and provides early flood warning alerts to nearby flood-prone areas
Managed By	Cessnock City Council in coordination with NSW SES

Abermain Flood Warning System

Hall	Address
Location	Elizabeth Street, Abermain
Catchment/Area	Swamp Creek/Fishery Creek
System Type	Siren Based Flood Warning System
Purpose	Monitors water levels and provides early flood warning alerts to nearby flood-prone areas
Managed By	Cessnock City Council in coordination with NSW SES

Weston Flood Warning System

Hall	Address
Location	Thomas Fell Park, Weston
Catchment/Area	Swamp Creek/Fishery Creek
System Type	Siren Based Flood Warning System
Purpose	Monitors water levels and provides early flood warning alerts to nearby flood-prone areas
Managed By	Cessnock City Council in coordination with NSW SES

Making a Flood Plan

Council encourages all residents in flood-prone areas to develop and maintain a personal flood plan.

You can create a plan using the NSW SES Emergency Planner, available at: 

www.nsw.gov.au/floods/preparing/have-a-plan 

Once completed, share your plan with family and neighbours. Review your plan annually and after any flood event. It is also important to monitor weather conditions and be ready to implement your plan in the event of siren infrastructure failure.

Live Water Level Information

Residents can access live water level information for Flood Warning System (FWS) sites through the below public links provided by AQX Solutions.

Note: These links provide publicly accessible live water level information for each Flood Warning System site.