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.
emergency planning
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.
Queensland on high alert as cyclone threat approaches
Far north Queensland is bracing for Tropical Cyclone Jasper to hit with heavy rains and gale-force winds as locals are told to prepare for days without power.
Tropical cyclone strengthens as it bears down on coast
Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper is set to intensify and become a category four system, with experts predicting it may threaten the Queensland coast.
Dire warning as Australia braces for summer bushfires
Every state has been put on alert for a heightened bushfire risk over summer with metropolitan areas among those under threat.
Hydrogen-powered ‘flying car’ to be used in emergencies
An Australian company developing a hydrogen-fuelled aircraft capable of flying for up to 1000km has received a $5.4 million boost.
Flood loss a return to past trauma for retiree
A retiree forced from his home in mismanaged floods says the ordeal made him relive the trauma he experienced fleeing war-torn Europe as a child.
Soaring temperatures prompt fire warnings
High temperatures across Queensland have prompted an extreme fire warning by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Soaring temperatures and wind prompt fire warnings
Extreme fire danger warnings are in place on the east coast and Northern Territory due to high temperatures across Queensland and the NT and high winds in NSW.
Officials defend Flemington flood wall after disaster
A racing industry official has defended a wall built around Flemington Racecourse which locals believe worsened the impact of floods on surrounding homes.
Modelling behind flood warning failure, inquiry hears
The Victorian State Emergency Service boss has conceded poor modelling contributed to the lack of warning about major flooding along the Maribyrnong River.
Key players to front flood inquiry on racecourse wall
Melbourne Water and the Victoria Racing Club are set to face questions about the Flemington Racecourse wall as part of an inquiry into the 2022 flood disaster.
Fed govt invests in new deployable disaster shelters
Australia will soon have a national stockpile of emergency shelters that can be deployed anywhere in the country when floods, fires and other disasters strike.
Bushfire preparedness top of mind as spring blazes burn
The federal government will hold its first National Bushfire Preparedness Summit against the backdrop of the season's first fires.
Australia over-reliant on defence in bushfire season
The federal government says the country must move away from its reliance on defence force personnel to deal with emergencies during the bushfire season.
Possible ‘compounding and cascading’ disasters looming
Australia should prepare for potential cyclones, floods and heatwaves as well as bushfires in the coming months, an emergency management expert has warned.
Floods, cyclones, bushfires: summer shocker on cards
Bushfires and heatwaves are only some of the natural disasters Australia should prepare for in coming months, an emergency management expert has warned.
Queensland braces for bushfires as season starts early
With Queensland already battling an early start to bushfire season and a heatwave creeping north, the state's authorities are confident they are prepared.
Vic on alert for high-risk bushfire season after floods
As regional communities continue to pick up the pieces from devastating floods, Victoria will lurch back into a high-risk bushfire season this spring.
K9 rescue squad a bunch of very good boys and girls
Every weekend, a band of dedicated owners and their beloved pets put their game faces on and train to save lives in the face of disaster. And they love it.
ACT, Volvo reveal Australia’s first electric fire truck
Quiet and thoroughly modern, the first electric fire and rescue truck in the country - one of several on order for the ACT - has been unveiled in Brisbane.
Discarded batteries pose risk in looming fire season
Authorities are keeping tabs on risks posed by lithium-ion batteries as Australia braces for its worst bushfire season since the Black Summer blazes.
Mock quake to test for cracks in emergency response
Australian and international crews will test their response to a major disaster when they stage a hypothetical earthquake in central Brisbane.
Firefighters’ compo laws expanded to include 20 cancers
Western Australia's government has announced presumptive laws will be expanded to allow firefighters to be compensated if they develop eight additional cancers.