Let’s work together to be flood ready

Published on 26 November 2025

With the four-year anniversary of the 2022 natural disaster only a few months away, now is a good time for residents to ask themselves ‘Am I flood ready?’, Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said. 

A recent survey of Lismore LGA residents found that while 82% were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about future floods, only 29% felt they were well prepared for a future flood event.

“This is why Lismore City Council is joining with NSW Reconstruction Authority, SES and the Red Cross to hold a free Be Flood Ready event to provide residents with localised information to help people better understand their flood risk and take practical steps to prepare,” Mayor Krieg said.

“Those attending the event at the Lismore Regional Library on Wednesday, 3 December will get hands-on help downloading and learning how to use emergency apps and other emergency resources, including Council’s individual Property Flood Certificates for those living in urban and southern areas of the LGA, with northern rural areas to be included soon.”

The certificates provide specific details for individual addresses, including natural ground levels and building floor levels, along with definitions for commonly used flood terms.

Lismore has a long history of experiencing floods, the Mayor said.

“Understanding your flood risk is crucial for effective planning. Knowing how floods may affect your property helps you make informed decisions before, during and after a flood,” he said.

“As well as a new SES video showing how the water flows through our catchment during a flood, there is also a special Storytime session for young children to help them understand floods and minimise trauma.”

Council is also doing its part to support the community to prepare for floods.

“We have taken on board the lessons identified in the 2022 disaster,” he said.

Since 2022, Council has installed solar powered, digital advanced flood warning signs with monitoring cameras at key locations on Boat Harbour, Wyrallah and Nimbin roads. This will uplift safety for motorists with photos integrated into Council’s website and updated every 15 minutes during a flood. These cameras will go live from Wednesday, 3 December.

This year to improve flood intelligence across the catchment five new river and rain gauges have also been installed including at Nimbin, Keerong and South Lismore.

Furthermore, in line with the recommendation from the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry, 10 gauges in the Wilsons River catchment have been transferred to the Bureau of Meteorology.

In addition, the Browns Creek pump station overtopping digital display is now live on Council’s disaster dashboard so that the community can monitor future events in real time, safely from home.
 

Event #1
Join us for a special story time with the NSW State Emergency Service
Come along to a fun story time hosted by the NSW SES for children aged 3-5. A variety of trauma-informed activities have been planned, including reading the children’s book Birdie and the Flood. Written and published by Children’s Health Queensland, the story is designed to help young children:

• learn what happens when it rains a lot and causes flooding
• learn who can help in a flood
• work through sad or scary feelings
• understand they will feel safe and happy again

 

Event # 2
BE FLOOD READY: Feel more confident and prepared for future floods
Join us for a free, interactive flood preparedness community event at the Lismore Library to help you stay safe.

• Learn about flood preparedness and emergency resources
• Get hands-on help downloading and using emergency apps
• Understand your property flood risk and how floods behave locally
• Hear about new local flood resilience initiatives
• Enjoy light refreshments

 
It’s a relaxed, hands-on session with friendly faces from the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Red Cross, NSW State Emergency Services, Lismore City Council and Lismore Library staff.

Register for the free community event here.
 

Picture: Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg with Council's Emergency Management Coordinator Jessica Anderson in front of Browns Creek Pump Station.