What happens in Corowa Prepare yourself How the SES can help you floods? Some basic measures you can take right now include keeping a The State Emergency Service is responsible for dealing with Corowa floods in NSW. This includes planning for floods and educating list of emergency numbers near the telephone and assembling 14.00 —— This is about the highest flood level likely to be produced from an Emergency Kit. people about how to protect themselves and their property. rainfall alone; about 1000 houses and many businesses would be flooded Your Emergency Kit should contain at all times: During floods the SES will provide flood information, safety Better FloodSafe than Sorry advice, evacuation, rescue and essentials to people isolated by • A portable radio with spare batteries 11.60 —— Large scale evacuations of Howlong, Corowa and Mulwala will have floodwaters. been carried out • A torch with spare batteries • A first aid kit with supplies appropriate for your household 8.70 —— Peak height of October 1917 flood. Main roads designed to be open or business for floods up to this height www.ses.nsw.gov.au • Candles and waterproof matches 8.60 —— Peak height of October 1975 flood. Some homes in River Street, • A waterproof bag for valuables South Corowa were flooded • Emergency contact numbers 8.00 —— Properties in Bridge Road can be flooded from this height and the Corowa golf course is closed due to floodwater inundation When flooding is likely, place in your Emergency Kit: • Important papers and photos 6.70 —— Water enters lower end of River Street, South Corowa and cuts access to several premises. Reisling Street is covered by floodwater • A good supply of required medications • Any special requirements for babies and the disabled, infirm FOR EMERGENCY HELP IN FLOODS 6.40 —— Ball Park area begins to flood. Access is lost to the recreation reserve, tennis, cricket, bowling, pool, Scouts & Guides facilities or elderly AND STORMS CALL THE SES ON • Strong shoes 6.10 —— Many caravans will have been required to evacuate by this height • Fresh food and drinks 132 500 3.80 —— Reserves and forests around Corowa flooded. Low-lying farmland along the river between Albury and Mulwala is inundated. Livestock BUSINESSES: SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au and equipment require moving to higher ground Your business should have a Business FloodSafe Plan. A template Corowa SES 02 6033 2299 of the plan is included in the Business FloodSafe Toolkit which is Key heights in metres at the Corowa gauge available for download on the SES website. Keep a copy of your Corowa Shire Council (business hours) 02 6033 8999 Business FloodSafe Toolkit handy and ensure that the Business Bureau of Meteorology website www.bom.gov.au The Bureau of Meteorology provides predictions of expected flood FloodSafe Plan it contains is complete and up to date. heights in metres for the Murray River at the Albury, Corowa and You should decide where you will move stock and equipment Yarrawonga gauges. to and how it will be transported. Keep backups of important Warnings and information given for the Albury gauge are particularly records and store these in a flood free location. relevant for people living in Albury and Howlong. The Corowa gauge Check your insurance policy. Where possible ensure shop fittings and the Yarrawonga gauge are most relevant for residents of Corowa can be easily moved or are able to resist water damage. Keep a and Mulwala respectively. supply of boxes to move stock and records if flooding is likely. SES Flood Bulletins provide information on what may happen at the predicted height and what actions are required to protect yourself and your property. It is important to know the height at which your Protecting yourself property may be affected and when evacuation routes may be cut. from a flood Top: Local Caravan Park inundated in September 2002 Bottom: Flooding in Corowa, 1917. Photo courtesy of the Corowa District Historical Society

Brochure printed December 2006 Corowa Shire Better FloodSafe than Sorry Stay informed When flooding is likely Are you at risk from floods? Corowa SES Unit can give you information on what you (Flood Watch) can do to reduce the effects of flooding on your family A Flood Watch is issued by the Bureau of Meteorology when In the past, areas of Howlong, Corowa and Mulwala have and your property. experienced flooding, although in most of these floods the flooding is likely. You should be prepared to act should flooding majority of the urban areas have not been directly affected. Corowa Shire Council may be able to provide information occur. The largest floods recorded were in 1870 and 1917 reaching on the height at which your property is flooded. RESIDENCES heights of 5.89m on the Albury gauge and approximately This brochure and general information on preparing for • Listen to your local radio station for updates 8.8m on the Corowa gauge. At Yarrawonga, the 1870 flood floods can be found at the SES website at www.ses.nsw. • Locate and check your Emergency Kit (see the ‘Prepare was larger than the 1917 flood by about half a metre. gov.au Floods larger than these levels can occur. Yourself’ section in this guide) Where possible move stock, records and equipment to higher ground or • Locate important papers, valuables and mementoes. Put them stack on benches and tables If a flood of this magnitude were to occur today, there How you will be advised in your Emergency Kit in case of evacuation would be significant inundation in the rural areas between of a coming flood • Locate and prepare pets for possible evacuation If you need to evacuate Albury, Howlong, Corowa and Mulwala, which are affected • Check if neighbours are aware of the Flood Watch at much lower levels than the urban areas. In Howlong Flood information including flood forecasts, road • Take your Emergency Kit with you • Move livestock to high ground there may be localised flooding near Majors Creek within closures, and advice on evacuations and property • Turn off the electricity and water as you leave and turn off the town, and some rural homes would be isolated and/or protection will be broadcast over local radio stations: BUSINESSES and secure gas bottles inundated. In Corowa, the caravan parks, sporting facilities In addition businesses should: • You will be advised where to evacuate to ABC Riverina (2CO) AM 675 and several dwellings would be affected. In the south- • Locate and activate your Business FloodSafe Plan • Don’t leave your pets behind – they cannot take care of 2AY AM 1494 western area of Mulwala, some dwellings would also need • Ensure neighbouring businesses are aware of the themselves. Put them on leads or in pet containers. Dogs to be evacuated. Star FM FM 104.9 Flood Watch should be muzzled The River FM 105.7 On rare occasions, extreme floods can occur. Such floods can • Where possible back up records and store off-site Edge FM 102.5 reach far greater heights than previously recorded, flooding • Keep in contact with neighbouring businesses When you evacuate areas without any previous flood history. Floodwaters would If evacuation becomes necessary, the SES and other You must leave well before roads to high ground are closed by generally rise faster and be more dangerous in terms of depth, emergency services will doorknock to advise residents velocity and debris. Extreme flooding can result from very and businesses and provide information on what to do. During a flood (Flood Warning) floodwater. heavy rainfall events, dam failure, or both. The largest possible Mobile public address systems in emergency vehicles A Flood Warning is issued by the Bureau of Meteorology when Proceed to the evacuation centre you are asked to go to. Help flood from a rainfall event could reach about 14m on the may also be used. flooding is about to happen. Flood Warnings provide a predicted will be available at an evacuation centre established by the Corowa gauge. At this level there will be significant flooding Bureau of Meteorology flood predictions and river flood level and time at which the river will reach that level. Department of Community Services (DoCS). to about 1000 properties including homes and businesses. height information are available on their website www. Flood Warnings will be issued for the Albury, Corowa and Assistance will include: In extreme floods there is a possibility of dam failure which bom.gov.au Yarrawonga gauges. would result in deep and fast flowing water affecting • Temporary accommodation the entire population of Howlong, Corowa and Mulwala, • Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater - this is the • Financial help necessitating the evacuation of these towns. Fortunately main cause of death during floods as water may be deeper • Personal support the chance of such an event is very low. The flood planning or faster flowing than people think and may contain hidden • Refreshments and meals done by the SES has made provision for dam failure. snags and debris • Clothing and personal needs • Stack possessions, records, stock or equipment on benches • Help in contacting family and friends Whilst very severe floods are rare, they can and do occur. and tables, placing electrical items on top You must be ready to evacuate when a significant flood is • Secure objects that are likely to float and cause damage approaching. Deciding to remain in your home or business • Relocate waste containers, chemicals and poisons well above Assistance for animals when it is surrounded by floodwaters or has water over floor floor level level can be dangerous. Flooding may last for several days The NSW Department of Primary Industries provides assistance • Keep listening to a local radio station for further information or weeks. Your home or business may become a refuge for for livestock, companion animals and wildlife during floods. This and advice vermin, snakes and spiders. There may be no water, sewerage, may include emergency supply or delivery of fodder to stranded • Keep in contact with your neighbours power, telephone or other services for several weeks, and you livestock and evacuation of pets and livestock. may be unable to call for help in an emergency. • Be prepared to evacuate if advised Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater