Local Flood Guide Safe Casey Flood information for the City of Casey THE CITY OF CASEY Supported by Your local emergency broadcasters are: ■ ABC Melbourne 774 AM ■ 3AW 693 AM ■ FOX 101.9 FM ■ NOVA 100.3 FM ■ SEN 1116 AM Local Flood Information Flood Local ■ Triple M 105.1 FM ■ Casey Radio 97.7 FM ■ SKY NEWS Television City of Casey Contact details: Phone: (03) 9705 5200 Email: [email protected] Web: www.casey.vic.gov.au The map above shows the impact of a 1% flood in Casey. A 1% flood means that there is a 1% chance of a flood up to this size happening in any given year. 2 Local Flood Guide Your Local Flood Information Know your risk The Casey Local Area The City of Casey is 45 kilometres to the South East of Melbourne’s Central Business District between the Dandenong Ranges and Westernport Bay. It covers 410 square kilometres and has a population of over 270,000. The City of Casey includes the suburbs of Beaconsfield, Berwick, Blind Bight, Botanic Ridge, Cannons Creek, Clyde, Clyde North, Cranbourne, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne Local Flood Information Flood Local North, Cranbourne South, Cranbourne West, Devon Meadows, Doveton, Eumemmerring, Endeavour Hills, Five Ways, Fountain Gate, Harkaway, Hallam, Hampton Park, Junction Village, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst, Lysterfield South, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South, Pearcedale, Tooradin and Warneet. The City of Casey is also home to large areas of farmland in Devon Meadows, Clyde, Pearcedale, Cranbourne South, Five Ways and Junction Village. Horse training and racing is a significant industry within the municipality with Cranbourne being one of the largest training areas in Melbourne. The City of Casey is home to 19,500 businesses including retail, industrial/wholesale, home based businesses, agriculture as well as many others. There are many areas within the City of Casey at risk of flooding, both riverine (from the rivers and creeks) and flash flooding. The City of Casey has three major waterways, Dandenong Creek, Eumemmerring Creek and Cardinia Creek. Are you at risk of flood? There are many areas within the City of Casey at risk of flooding. The City of Casey is prone to flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Flash flooding can occur across the entire municipality. Any property on the low side of a street or a neighbouring property may be at risk of flooding. There is also a risk of flash flooding from the major drainage lines in Casey. The map on page 2 shows the expected flood extents from the main drainage lines when there is a major flood in Casey. However areas outside the blue area on the map are still at the risk of flash flooding. Over 16 floods have been recorded in the area over the past 100 years, with the first recorded in December 1934 and the most recent in July 2012. Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road, February 2011 In 2010, 2011 and 2012, floods in the City of Casey resulted in road closures, damage to public and private property and rehousing of Did you know? people and animals. On 4 February 2011, 180 millimetres of rain In 2011, a severe storm with heavy rainfall over the City of Casey fell at Lynbrook over a 24 hour period. During floods, a number of caused heavy flash flooding across the municipality. During this essential services are at risk in the City of Casey, including: storm: The Main Arterial Roads may be closed for some time until the ■ Over 600 residential households, 10 aged care facilities flood waters recede. The following roads have been closed ■ and many businesses were significantly impacted by the in previous flood events: Heatherton Road, Princes Highway, floodwater. Many of these properties were not within the blue Hallam South Road, Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road, South areas shown on the map on page 2. Gippsland Highway and Clyde Road. 103 properties sustained such heavy damage through The Pakenham Train Line may be closed due to floodwater ■ ■ flooding that residents were either evacuated or relocated. at multiple points in Hallam and Narre Warren including immediately east of Narre Warren Train Station. ■ Hampton Park Shopping Centre was flooded. ■ Access to Casey Hospital may be restricted to four wheel drive ■ A number of roads were closed to traffic for some days these vehicles and trucks for a period due to overland flows along included Narre Warren – Cranbourne Road, Shrives Road, Kangan Drive in a flash flood. Heatherton Road, Pound Road, Centre Road, Webb Street and the Princes Highway. ■ The Cranbourne Train Line between Merinda Park and Cranbourne Stations is also at risk of flooding during heavy rain. The SES received over 735 requests for assistance from City of Casey residents. A number of people also required rescue assistance due to the floodwater. Even if your property is not affected by floodwater, you may be impacted indirectly by flooding as some roads and train lines will Never drive, ride, walk or swim in floodwater- you don’t know be closed and power, sewerage and telephone services may be what you’re getting into. disrupted. Local Flood Guide 3 About Flood Warnings What warnings mean Flash flooding occurs because rain falls faster than the ground has the ability to absorb, causing water run-off into low-lying Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are issued by the Bureau of areas and into local drainage systems unable to cope with the Meteorology (BoM) to tell people about possible flooding. volume of water. This results in water rising rapidly and flowing About About Warnings Flood powerfully and quickly. A Flood Watch means there is a developing weather pattern that might cause floods in one or two days. Flash flooding: Flood Warnings mean flooding is about to happen or is already ■ Occurs so fast that it is often difficult to provide a detailed happening. There are Minor, Moderate and Major flood warnings. warning. Often it arrives without warning. ■ Usually results from heavy rainfall falling during severe A Minor Flood Warning means floodwater can: storms over a short time. ■ Reach the top of the river banks Remember, you may not receive any official warning. ■ Come up through drains in nearby streets Be aware of what is happening around you to stay safe. ■ Cover low-lying areas including riverside camping areas Never wait for a warning to act. ■ Affect some low-lying caravan parks ■ Cover minor roads, tracks and low level bridges ■ Spread across land or go into buildings on some properties Emergency Alert and farms. SES may provide alerts to the City of Casey community through the Emergency Alert telephone warning system. All Emergency A Moderate Flood Warning means floodwater can: Services can use Emergency Alert to warn communities about dangerous situations by voice message to landline telephones or ■ Spill over river banks and spread across low-lying areas text message to mobile phones. ■ Start to threaten buildings, roads, rail, power and other developments If you receive an Emergency Alert, make sure that all family members, people at work and your neighbours are aware of the Require evacuation in some areas ■ situation. ■ Cover main roads. If you receive an Emergency Alert you should pay attention A Major Flood Warning means floodwater can: and act. It could mean life or death. Cause widespread flooding ■ Flood Warnings for the City of Casey ■ Threaten many houses and businesses ■ Cause properties and whole areas to be isolated by water Flash flooding is caused by intense rainfall over a short period ■ Disrupt major roads and transport routes of time. If you hear a severe storm warning with flash flooding ■ Require many evacuations. predicted make sure you are prepared. As flash flooding happens so quickly, there may be little or no warning as the arrival time or depth of a flash flood is unpredictable. The Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) will give information about how the floodwater might affect people and properties. During flash flooding, heavy rain deposits a large amount of water This includes safety messages to remind you what to do. over a small area in a short time period, causing localised flooding that can rise rapidly in a matter of minutes. Flash flooding may Severe Thunderstorm Warnings not be deep but is fast flowing and dangerous. NEVER walk, ride, Thunderstorms are classified as severe, due to their potential to drive, swim or play in floodwater. cause significant localised damage through: wind gusts, large hail, tornadoes or flash flooding. Severe thunderstorm warnings are Severe storm warnings and flood warnings are issued by the issued to the community by the Bureau of Meteorology. Bureau of Meteorology. Severe Weather Warnings These warnings are issued to the community by the Bureau of Meteorology when severe weather is expected that is not directly related to severe thunderstorms or bushfires. Examples of severe weather include damaging winds and flash flooding. Listen to Severe Thunderstorm and Severe Weather warnings for your area. If you hear a warning, check the Bureau of Meteorology and Victoria State Emergency Service for information and advice. 4 Local Flood Guide Preparing for Floods Prepare a plan NOW - before a flood Your Emergency Plan ■ Check if your home or business is subject to flooding. Emergencies can happen at any time, with little warning. People who have planned and prepared for emergencies have ■ Check if you could be cut off by floodwater. reduced the impact and recovered faster. Preparing For Floods For Preparing ■ Know the safest way to go if you decide to leave your property and plan an alternative route. Taking the time to think about emergencies and make your own plan helps you think clearly and have more control to make better ■ Check your insurance policies as many properties, equipment decisions when an emergency occurs.