What to do when you hear a flood siren
Somerset Regional Council currently has two Flood Sirens in the region, one in Lowood (Lindemanns Road) and the other in Fernvale (off Schmidt Road). When you hear the flood siren, the first thing to do is stop and recognise it as an early warning. A siren does not automatically mean you need to evacuate straight away. It is a signal that conditions are changing or may change, and that you need to seek more information and understand what is happening before taking further action.
Your next step is to check trusted, official sources for information. This includes tuning into local radio, checking the Somerset Regional Council Disaster Dashboard, visiting the Bureau of Meteorology website, or reviewing updates from the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES). Flood sirens are usually supported by other warnings—such as Emergency Alerts, media broadcasts, or online updates—that explain the situation and provide specific advice for your area. The siren is designed to get your attention; the details will come from these official sources.
As you gather information, focus on what the warning means for your location. Not all warnings indicate immediate danger. Some may simply advise you to stay informed and monitor conditions, while others may signal that you need to start preparing for possible impacts. Consider whether you are in a low-lying or flood-prone area, how close you are to the Brisbane River and how quickly conditions may change based on rainfall upstream or locally. Visit Council's Flood Awareness Mapping page to better understand the flood risk of your property.
At the same time, use the siren as a prompt to build your situational awareness. Look at the conditions around you—recent and current rainfall, creek or river levels, road conditions, and any signs of rising water. The Somerset Disaster Dashboard and other tools can help you understand local impacts in real time, including road closures and river heights. Combining this with official advice will help you make informed decisions about your safety.
Once you understand the situation, begin to take calm, practical steps to prepare. This may include reviewing your household emergency plan, ensuring your phone is charged, gathering essential items, and identifying what you will do if conditions worsen. At this stage, the focus is on being ready and staying informed—not necessarily leaving immediately—unless emergency services specifically direct you to do so.
If advice escalates, follow the directions provided by emergency services without delay. This may include preparing to isolate, moving to a safer location, or evacuating if required.
In summary, when you hear a flood siren:
- Stop and recognise it as a warning signal
- Seek information from trusted sources
- Understand the level of risk for your location
- Monitor conditions and stay alert
- Prepare to act if the situation changes
Flood sirens are designed to give you valuable time. By staying informed and understanding your risk early, you can make safer, more confident decisions if conditions escalate.