Be prepared: north told to brace for spring bushfires
After recent above-average temperatures, the national council for fire and emergency services is predicting a risky spring fire season in northern Australia.
emergency planning
Funding boost to help protect Aussies from disasters
Almost $400 million will be spent on projects to better protect Australians from natural disasters including key cyclone and flood protection upgrades.
Learner drivers should learn first aid, after toll rise
Emergency groups are calling for mandated first aid training for learner drivers after new figures showing at least three Australians die on the road each day.
State flood response receives multi-millions boost
What is being billed as NSW's largest ongoing commitment to flood preparedness and infrastructure will support residents in Sydney's disaster-prone northwest.
Revamped emergency services to improve response times
Queensland emergency services will fall under new departments after state parliament passed laws to better align diaster management responses.
IGA head urges end to supermarket land grab
The chief executive of IGA's parent company has slammed Coles and Woolworths for hoarding land as a way to prevent competition in the sector.
Flood alerts as fatal storm drives rain further south
An inland low and coastal trough joining forces over NSW is forecast to dump up to 300mm of rain on Sydney, Newcastle and coastal towns in the next 24 hours.
Wild weather unleashes on Australia’s sodden southeast
A band of widespread rain and thunderstorms is sweeping across southeastern states with the trough set to intensify, sparking flood warnings.
Airport disruption as firies strike over ‘extreme risk’
Aviation firefighters will cause major school holiday travel disruptions when they strike over claims staff shortages are posing "extreme risks" for passengers.
Cyclone Megan sparks warning to coastal residents
A second cyclone in as many months has formed off the Northern Territory's coast and is expected to lash the Top End for days.
Six-month deadline set for review into mass blackout
The Victorian government has appointed three experts to lead a review into the response of power providers to storms that crippled the transmission network.
Inquiry push to shine light on Victoria’s mass blackout
The Victorian opposition will push for an inquiry into the reliability of the state's transmission network after storms cut power to half a million properties.
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weather news
Communities still in the dark after destructive storms
A dairy farmer is dead and around 135,000 properties remain without power in Victoria after storms knocked down transmission towers and lines.
Hot spell sweeps the nation, sparking trouble in Vic
Widespread hot weather has led to fires in Victoria and high temperatures plus rain storms in other parts of the nation.
Catastrophic fire danger warning as heatwave hits
Catastrophic fire conditions are tipped for parts of Victoria as the southern states brace for hot, windy and dry weather over coming days.
Schools closed over catastrophic fire danger warning
Dozens of schools have been closed in Victoria due to catastrophic fire conditions as southern states brace for hot, windy and dry weather over coming days.
Evacuation warnings over fires in Victoria’s west
Two emergency warnings have been issued for people in the Grampians in Victoria's west, with out-of-control blazes raging at Bellfield and Mt Stapylton.
Hundreds of thousands of Victorian homes without power
Thousands of households and businesses remain without power in Victoria after storms knocked down transmission towers afte a day of high temperatures.
Relief in sight as ex-Kirrily moves, recovery persists
The remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily are expected to subside but not before more severe weather, while rain-sodden areas continue flood recovery.
Vic faces wettest January days as floodwaters shift
Victoria's first nine days of 2024 have broken January records dating back more than 120 years as floodwaters continue to flow, impacting communities.
Victorians warned to bunker down for more summer storms
Thunderstorms influenced by tropical humidity could dump as much as 200mm of rain on parts of Victoria as the state braces for widespread flooding.
Victoria, SA and southern NSW prepare for flooding rain
People in Victoria, South Australia and NSW are being urged to prepare for storms, with rainfall totals of up to 200mm and flooding forecast for some areas.
Lithium-ion batteries fires warning for Christmas
The fire risk from lithium-ion batteries is rising as Christmas shoppers continue stocking up on gadgets and devices that run on the rechargeable power source.
Flood victims face another Christmas of uncertainty
NSW Northern Rivers communities devastated by flooding in 2022 say it could take a decade to recover after progress was hampered by a mismanaged buyback scheme.
Storms smash Sydney, with flooding rescues under way
Large parts of NSW are on alert for dangerous weather over the Christmas long weekend, as storm cells smash Sydney bringing hail, strong winds and downpours.
Heroic flood rescues as town evacuation postponed
The wet weather has not been able to stop heroic rescues across far north Queensland after the evacuation of a flooded town was postponed.
No respite as Queensland faces widespread flash floods
Premier Steven Miles is seeking help from navy rescue boat crews as the fallout from ex-tropical cyclone Jasper continues with heavy rain in north Queensland.
Child among group stranded on hospital roof amid floods
A group of people including a seven-year-old have been stranded on a remote hospital roof after widespread flooding caused by ex-tropical cyclone Jasper.
Entire town to be evacuated after ‘next level’ flooding
The Australian Defence Force is mobilising to help evacuate an Aboriginal community threatened by flooding to safety at Cooktown.
Jasper loses sting but floods and wind wreak havoc
Cyclone Jasper has weakened to a tropical low but brought heavy rain and damaging winds, prompting widespread flood warnings for far north Queensland.
Shelter warning as Cyclone Jasper bears down on coast
People are bunkering down and authorities are on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Jasper crosses the Queensland coast as a category 2 system.