Flood warning system : Brisbane River Valley.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings of floodings since its establishment in 1908. The present Meteorology Act of 1955 renewed Bureau responsibility for the issue of warnings of floods likely to cause damage or loss to property or stock, and risk of loss of life. In 1957 the Australian Government Cabinet directed the Bureau to establish a Hydrometeorology Section, with responsibility for systematic flood forecasting. Flood forecasts and warnings constitute a direct means for the reduction of flood damage and loss of life. Advance warning of an approaching flood permits evacuation of people and the removal of livestock and equipment with minimum losses. Warnings may not in general prevent damage to crops or structures, such as houses, but furniture can be removed. This report provides an illustration of this in Brisbane in January 1974, the Bremer River in Ipswich, and in Brisbane the Brisbane River reached the highest level this century, and the highest since 1893. There were 11 casualties, and damage to property amounted to millions of dollars