Emergency Services

Don't wait for a flood to learn what to do. Know how the Flood Warning System works.

• ABC Radio 91.7 FM - will provide regular advice and updates on the current situation during a flood.
• If Tasmania Police and Council consider that Longford is at risk of major flooding and parts of the town must be evacuated, you will get a standby notice firstly from Council then told to leave your home by Tasmania Police.
• Council staff monitor the warnings provided by the Bureau of Meteorology and also monitor river levels to predict the possible level of flooding.
• The Bureau of Meteorology issues a flood watch when flood producing rain is expected to happen in the near future.
• The Bureau issues a flood warning when flooding is occurring or is expected to occur.

There are three stages to a flood warning:

• Minor Flooding - Low lying areas can be inundated which may require the removal of stock and equipment. Some roads may need to be closed.
• Moderate Flooding - The evacuation of some houses may be required. Some traffic routes may be covered and roads closed.
• Major Flooding - Properties are likely to be isolated and major traffic routes likely to be closed. Evacuation of people from the flood affected areas may be required.

While Council will provide updates during a flood event within the municipality via media releases on ABC Radio 91.7 FM and on our website home page, it is also advisable to check the following links.

Bureau of Meteorology for Weather and Warning Alerts information

Tasmanian Police for Community Alerts and Road Closures

Union Street: If the River is forecasted to peak at a height of 6.7metres or above.

Lyttleton Street: If the forcast peak is a height of 7.3 metres or above.

Tannery Road: The height of the main entrance into Longford is 7.7 metres. Council will have the flood protection barrier prepared for erection if the flood is forcast to peak at over 7.3 metres but will wait as long as possible before closing the entrance to the town.

Archer Street: If the river is forecast to peak at a height of 8.3 metres or above.

Notes: The actual height of these above mentioned flood levee opening is 0.4 to 0.5 metres higher than the levels at which the flood barriers will be erected. In some circumstances Council may choose to install the barriers at lower river heights than those shown above, for example, if the river is expected to peak at night or if it is difficult to be certain about the expected height of the river.

If you are going to self evacuate and stay with friends or family during a major flood event, please register your location with the Red Cross by calling 1800 246 850. If you are unable to stay with friends or family, you should go to an evacuation centre. Help available at evacuation centres includes:

Temporary Accommodation

• Financial Assistance ~Personal Support

• Refreshments and meals

• Clothing and personal needs

• Arranging contact with family and friends

Evacuation Centres are located at the Longford Town Hall, Wellington Street and the Campbell Town, Town Hall in High Street . Directional signage will be displayed at these sites during a flood event.

During flooding events at Longford there are alternative routes for residents to enter or leave the town in vehicles. The three routes and the location of the flood levee gate on Tannery Road are shown on the colour-coded map below (Click the map for a larger view) Alternative Road Route 1 (green): While Illawarra Road is open, vehicles can travel out of Longford via Wilmores Lane (turn opposite Austral Bricks) then turn right along Bishopsbourne Road to Illawarra Road, and turn right to Perth. Alternative Road Route 2 (purple): When Illawarra road is closed west of Longford entrance, vehicles can travel out of Longford via Wilmores Lane (turn opposite Austral Bricks). Turn right along Bishopsbourne Road to Illawarra Road, then turn left along Illawarra Road to the Bass Highway. Alternative Road Route 3 (orange): When Illawarra Road is closed (both east and west of Longford entrance), vehicles can travel out of Longford via Wilmores Lane (turn opposite Austral Bricks), turn right along Bishopsbourne Road to Carrick then to the Bass Highway. Tannery Road Flood Gate is shown in yellow.

• The majority of flood-related deaths in Australia are a result of inexperienced people entering flood waters either in boats, vehichle or on foot. Avoid entering floodwater on foot or by vehicle, it may be deeper or faster flowing than you think, manhole covers may have come off and floodwaters contain hidden snags and debirs.
• Don't walk on the riverbanks or across bridges if possible. They may have been damaged and might even collapse.
• Don't swim in flood water - it is usually contaminated and often contains hidden snags, strong currents and other hazards.
• Avoid wading, even in shallow water, for the above reasons.
• If you must enter shallow water, wear rubber shoes or gumboots to protect feet. Don't proceed beyond waist depth unless absolutely necessary (and only if there is no obvious current).
• Keep in contact with other people. Do things in pairs, do not go anywhere alone.

Important! Flood water is dangerous

• Avoid walking or driving through it.
• Keep children and vulnerable people away from it.
• Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.
• Never drink flood water in any circumstances, it may contain hazardous substances which can harm you.

Your emergency flood kit should be kept in a waterproof storage box. Check your kit contents regularly and restock any out-of-date items such as batteries. Items suggested are:

• A food kit filled with foods that do not need to be refrigerated. Make sure it includes bottled water.
• Baby food and baby care items (e.g. nappies, if applicable)
• A list of emergency telephone numbers (see below)
• A first aid kit with essential medications
• Your mobile phone and charger
• A portable radio with spare batteries tuned to ABC 91.7FM
• Candles and waterproof matches
• Torch with spare batteries
• Rubber gloves
• Toiletries and toilet paper
• Alcohol wipes and anti-bacterial gel
• Children's activities such as colouring books, pens and pencils (if applicable)
• A waterproof bag for clothing and valuables
• Important papers (including insurance documents), bank books, money and credit cards
• Valuables and cherished articles (jewellery, photos, etc)

Essential Items

• Warm, waterproof clothing and change of clothing
• Blankets/sleeping bag
• Rubber shoes and or gumboots
• Pet food (if applicable)
• Hats, sunscreen
• Camping stove or small bbq

Important Telephone Numbers

In comparing flood heights be aware the hydrological "landscape" of the South Esk River has changed significantly over the last 80 years. There is argument to suggest the volume of water in the 1969 flood was greater than the 1929, but the depth of flooding lower. This is just one of many complications in reading the record - depth or rainfall, location of rainfall, type of storm, antecedent conditions, depth of flow prior to flooding, physical changes in the landscape (willow clearing or planting, levees), degree of flooding in the Macquarie and Meander Rivers, etc, all influence the flood behaviour for each and every event. Basically, it is difficult to compare one event to another. However, we can say the three events of 2011 are in the top ten, and that is significant. It is also significant the Meander River was not in Minor flood during the two large March and August events, else flooding would most likely have been more severe.

Historic Flood levels - Longford Top 10 Floods

• What to do BEFORE a flood
• What to do DURING a flood
• Tips on what you should do AFTER a flood
• Flood Evacuation Standby Notice - This notice is only letter box dropped during a flood event if there is a possibility of residents needing evacuation from their homes. This notice is followed by a visit by Tasmania Police to assist with evacuation if needed.
• Road Closures within the Northern Midlands Municipality during a flood event.
• Quick Guide for Flood Emergency.

Click on this link to be directed to the footage.

Following the tragic fires of 7 February 2009 in Victoria, the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) has increased the options it promotes for community safety during bushfires in line with the revised AFAC position on Bushfires and Community Safety to include:

• community fire refuges
• nearby safer places.

Community Fire Refuges

Community fire refuges are buildings that have been identified by the TFS in partnership with councils and other government agencies that offer basic amenities including temporary shelter, drinking water and toilet facilities. They are for people who leave bushfire affected areas and do not go somewhere else of their own choosing eg. to homes of friends or family etc.

• Community fire refuges will not be used in all bushfires and there will not be one in every local area
• If a community fire refuge is opened, the TFS will advertise it through ABC local radio and the TFS website (go to Current Bushfires and Other Incidentson the home page and click on the 'More Info' icon for the relevant fire). Councils will coordinate their operation and Tasmania Fire Service will assist to keep people informed.
• It is up to each individual as to whether or not they go to the community fire refuge
• Community fire refuges offer only very basic shelter/amenities and they will only be open for a short period of time - so people need to be essentially 'self-sufficient'
• It is ok to take domestic pets as long as you can look after/secure them, but livestock and larger animals should not be taken.

Northern Region

North-West Region

Southern Region

Another option that may improve your safety during major bushfires are nearby safer places, however the TFS advises that the chances of survival are greatly reduced if people find themselves in situations where they need to use a nearby safer place. Individuals (residents and visitors) are responsible for identifying their own nearby safer places, based on their own circumstances and location. They should be chosen on the basis that they increase the distance between the individual and the heat from the flames (also known as 'radiant heat') and can be reached in a few minutes of the fire front moving through the area you are in. They can include but are not limited to: e.g. a large, ploughed/open paddock, sports oval, river or dam. They should be used when you get 'caught out' by the approaching bushfire and you need to get out of the way of the fire front to save your life. These nearby safer places could still be subject to significant levels of smoke and ember attack and therefore you will need to be prepared for an environment that is hot, windy, noisy and possibly quite dark. However the Victorian experience showed that people clothed suitably and avoiding embers can survive in these circumstances. While they are a last resort, using a nearby safer place is definitely a better option than trying to out-run a fire in a car or on foot.

1. Be vigilant in hotter weather, stay tuned for bushfire reports and implement your Bushfire Survival Plan, if there are fires in or near your area.
2. When your area is affected by bushfire and if a community fire refuge is opened, consider relocating. Remember that many people died in Victoria trying to outrun the fires. Do not 'wait and see'- it could be fatal.
3. If you stay in the bushfire affected area (e.g. to defend your property), revise your nearby safer places as you carry out your plan. Make sure others with you do the same.
4. If you start to doubt your ability to defend your home or to get out of the way of the fire front, go directly to the best nearby safer place and stay there until the fire front passes

Nearby safer places and community fire refuges are two more options to promote community safety during bushfires that work by increasing the distance between people and radiant heat/flames. Surviving bushfires takes a joint effort between individuals, communities, Government and its agencies. The safest option is always being outside of bushfire affected areas and the TFS encourages all Tasmanians and its visitors to Prepare to Survive