Creek flooding alerts
Severe storms and flash flooding are a natural part of living in Brisbane. As Brisbane is built on a flood plain, it experiences different types of flooding ranging from river, creek, overland flow, king tides and storm surge. Heavy rainfall in a catchment may also have the potential to cause dams to spill.
Brisbane Severe Weather Alert
You can receive alerts if your property may be affected by creek flooding. To get these alerts you need to be signed up for the Brisbane Severe Weather Alert service. If your address is within the creek flood alert area/s you will automatically get creek flood alerts. View the map of alert locations.
Council strongly recommends you do not solely rely on these alerts and you use Council's other preparedness measures to better understand your flood risk. This will allow you to monitor, act and respond accordingly when the alerts are received.
Alerts are sent when rain and/or creek levels in a nearby creek system indicate your property may be at risk of flooding. This flooding may occur from heavy rainfall or tidal flooding. As the alerts are location based, warnings are only sent if your nominated address and/or mobile device location is at risk of flooding. The information provided by the creek flooding alerts is dependent on technology.
To receive creek flooding alerts, register for Brisbane Severe Weather Alert
Creek flooding preparedness
One of the most common sources of flooding in Brisbane is creek flooding. Creek flooding is difficult to forecast as floodwaters can rise and fall quickly with little warning. Residents near creeks need to maintain awareness and monitor conditions. Rainfall runoff, tides and storm surge can cause creek levels to rise.
It is important to be prepared at all times to respond to possible creek flooding. See flooding support for residents to help you to prepare your home. An emergency kit can help. Keep your emergency kit in a waterproof container.
Rainfall and stream height information
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) provides rainfall and stream height information recorded from flood gauges located in the Brisbane area. This information is updated every 10-40 minutes and can be used to monitor creek conditions.
Find information about creek heights and flood classifications in your area as provided by the Bureau of Meteorology to determine any action you should take to stay safe.
BoM information on floods and flood safety
BoM information on floods and flood safety
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website for general information on floods and flood safety. The Bureau of Meteorology has its own terms and conditions of use. Council makes no statements, representations or warranties about the accuracy, correctness, timeliness, completeness or fitness for any purpose or use of information contained on the Bureau of Meteorology's website. To the full extent permitted by law, Council excludes all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for:
- information contained on the Bureau of Meteorology website or any linked website
- any decisions made or actions taken on the basis of such information
- any losses, liability, damages, claims, expenses and costs a user may incur suffer or sustain as a result of the information on this website or any linked website being inaccurate, erroneous or incomplete in any way for any reason.
Telemetry flood gauges
Telemetry flood gauges
As part of a risk-based approach to flood management, Council gathers flood information for a full range of flood events. We install and maintain telemetry flood gauges at various locations across Brisbane. These gauges:
- collect and measure rainfall or water levels.
- can be used to trigger alerts for road or suburb flooding
- collect data for the development and calibration of flood models and investigation of flooding events
- provide long term historic records of flood information in Brisbane
For a full list of telemetry gauges in Brisbane, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Map of creek flooding alert locations
This map indicates areas where creek flooding alerts are available for subscribers.
An isolated community alert for flooded bridges is available for properties in Karana Downs, Kholo, Lake Manchester and Mount Crosby. Note: These alerts may not cover all properties in these suburbs.
Select the creek flooding alert location to find more detailed alert and flood information.
In flash flooding or tidal flooding events, the grey areas will receive alerts first. Purple areas will receive creek flood alerts in larger scale events that reach minor, moderate or major flooding classifications. Areas in blue are located along the Brisbane River and may receive alerts for river flooding (or flooded bridge alerts as is the case for Karana Downs). Red areas will receive alerts in river flood events that reach minor, moderate or major flooding classifications.
View the map of flooding alert locations in a larger map.
How to search for a property location in the map
- Open the large version of the map
- Click on the magnifying glass icon (to the right of the map name)
- Enter the property address location into the search bar
- Click on the applicable search result to move the map to that specific location
Alert locations and gauge names
Alert locations and gauge names
Frequently asked questions
How do I sign up for creek flood alerts?
How do I sign up for creek flood alerts?
You must be signed up for the free Brisbane Severe Weather Alert service. If your nominated address/s is within the creek flood alert area you will automatically get creek flood alerts.
I am already signed up to Brisbane Severe Weather Alert. Do I need to sign up separately to get creek flood alerts?
I am already signed up to Brisbane Severe Weather Alert. Do I need to sign up separately to get creek flood alerts?
No, if you are already signed up to the Brisbane Severe Weather Alert service you will automatically receive creek flood alerts if your address/s is within the creek flood alert area.
How do I know if I am in a creek flood alert area?
How do I know if I am in a creek flood alert area?
Search for your address/location in the map of creek flooding alert locations.
Why am I now in a creek flood alert area?
Why am I now in a creek flood alert area?
Previously an existing creek flood alert service was available for limited areas. This was reviewed post the 2022 flood event and has now been expanded to include alerts for minor, moderate and major flood levels across Brisbane in select locations.
How can I receive alerts for a specific location of interest?
How can I receive alerts for a specific location of interest?
The alerts are assigned by address. You can add an address of your home, work or any other location you may be interested in receiving flood alerts for.
Why am I getting so many creek flood alerts?
Why am I getting so many creek flood alerts?
Creek flood alerts are automatically sent from flood gauges. This may be because of heavy rainfall or tidal flooding. It is common for creek water levels to rise and fall quickly in heavy rainfall events and storms. Sometimes higher than normal high tides can trigger creek flood alerts. The alerts aim to provide situational awareness and allow residents to take appropriate action if needed.
It is not raining, so why am I getting a creek flood alert?
It is not raining, so why am I getting a creek flood alert?
Some creek flood alert areas are impacted by tidal flooding so you may receive a warning alert even if it isn’t raining. Creek alerts also rely on technology and occasionally false alerts may be triggered by gauge malfunctions, environmental factors or technical maintenance. Council strongly recommends you do not solely rely on these alerts and you use Council's other preparedness measures to better understand your flood risk.
Weather information
To keep you informed about weather conditions that may affect your property, the Bureau of Meteorology provides: