Where to find warnings and other key information

About the Australian Warning System

The Australian Warning system is the same across all states and for different hazards.

Messages in the warning symbols

The AWS three level waring system has been developed based on community research and provides a clear and consistent call to action message with each type of level allocated a specific name, colour, and symbol for the type of emergency.

Flood Warnings

Fire Warnings

Warning Messages

Advice (Yellow):
An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up-to-date in case the situation changes. (May also be used to advise that a threat has reduced).

Watch and Act (Orange): There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.  

Emergency Warning (Red):
An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

These warnings describe

  • the locations
  • expected or estimated impact
  • actions people in the location need to take (call to action messages)
  • any other community information
  • any other relevant warnings.

Standard call-to-actions messages

Advice

  • Prepare now
  • Stay informed
  • Monitor conditions Stay informed/threat is reduced
  • Avoid the area Return with caution    

Watch and Act

  • Prepare to leave/evacuate
  • Leave/evacuate now (if you are not prepared)
  • Prepare to take shelter
  • Move/stay indoors
  • Stay near shelter
  • Walk two or more streets back
  • Monitor conditions as they are changing
  • Be aware of ember attacks (fire)
  • Move to higher ground (away from creeks/rivers/coast – flood)
  • Avoid the area
  • Stay away from damaged buildings and other hazards
  • Prepare for isolation
  • Protect yourself against the impacts of extreme heat
  • Do not enter flood water  

Emergency Warning

  • Leave/evacuate (immediately, by am/pm/hazard timing)
  • Seek/take shelter now
  • Shelter indoors now
  • Too late/dangerous to leave  

SES Flood Warnings are issued on

TasALERT has information on road closures.  See also Tasmania Police road closures.

You may also get warnings information via

See more information about the Australian Warning System. 

Other emergency warnings in Tasmania

Visit TasALERT.com or download the TasALERT app to get storm, flood and other emergency warnings in Tasmania, for example for

  • Bushfires
  • Chemical spills
  • Tsunami
  • Smoke from bushfires or major structure fires
  • Shark sightings.

Know the warnings so when the next incident comes you can

  • make an informed decision about your safety, and
  • keep up-to-date.

More information