Australia’s First Live Flood Alerts to Safeguard Queensland Communities
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Queensland residents in Douglas and Fraser Coast can now receive live flood alerts via select GPS navigation apps. The Australian-first trial provides local drivers critical, real-time warnings about flood impacted roads, hazards and automatic route diversions to help reduce risk and save lives.
The innovative alert system is powered by an intelligent modelling tool developed by Brisbane-based start-up FloodMapp. Supported by NRMA Insurance’s Help Fund, the tool is being utilised by Douglas and Fraser Coast councils as part of the Queensland Flood Resilient Communities Program (QFRCP), a joint initiative designed to strengthen local disaster preparedness and reduce flood risk.
Despite the increasing threat of major flood events across the country, FloodMapp CEO and co-founder Juliette Murphy said Australia is lagging in its response to forecasting flood events.
“Flood events are volatile situations, where water can rise to threatening levels in a matter of minutes. We lose lives every year to the impacts of floods, often because people become trapped on flooded roads.
“These incidents can be significantly reduced with the accuracy and speed FloodMapp modelling provides. This detail enables response teams to turn live forecasts into fast, safe, life-saving actions, in scenarios where every second can make a difference.”
A changing tide for disaster response
Councils participating in the QFRCP program have subsidised access to FloodMapp’s Prepare Solution for 12 months, which until now has been largely cost prohibitive for many local governments.
FloodMapp forecasting and real-time impact modelling will help participating councils strengthen public safety and emergency management, enabling a more accurate understanding of flood risk before, during and after heavy rain, storm surge, and flash flooding events.
Putting flood alerts in the driver’s seat
In addition to enhancing council preparedness and response, FloodMapp’s road impact analytics are now available for local residents who use the Waze navigation app (or Google Maps where Waze data is enabled). This puts real-time, life-saving data in the hands of drivers to help avoid flood-impacted roads and surrounding hazards.
The alerts update as conditions change, and benefit from a live feedback loop to keep information current during fast-moving events.
A helping hand for a resilient future
Manager of Disaster Planning for Fraser Coast Regional Council Brendan Guy said Flood Mapp’s technology will improve the region’s flood planning and response.
“We’re thrilled to be one of the three councils participating in the QFRCP program, benefiting from FloodMapp’s game changing forecasting and intelligence capabilities,” Mr Guy said.
“This trial will support faster and more informed Local Disaster Management Group decisions and enhance coordination between councils, emergency services and communities.”
The QFRCP program is made possible by an NRMA Insurance Help Fund Climate Smart Innovation grant, awarded to FloodMapp as an inaugural recipient in 2025.
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch said, “The ambition of Help Fund is to support climate resilience in Australia, backing local innovators who are championing change with groundbreaking technology.
“FloodMapp represent the impressive calibre of Australia’s climate innovation leaders, delivering real world impact at a local level. We are so pleased our Help Fund Climate Smart Innovation grant will scale access to FloodMapp’s vital technology to help communities to adapt, withstand and recover from the threat of floods.”
About FloodMapp
FloodMapp provides operational, impact-based flood forecasting and real-time impact intelligence to support preparation, response, and recovery. Updated hourly and delivered into existing GIS and operations systems, FloodMapp maps flood extent, depth, and impacts to the built environment.
To request a short demonstration, contact sales@floodmapp.com.
FloodMapp is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. Learn more at www.floodmapp.com.
About NRMA Insurance: A Help Company
NRMA Insurance is Australia’s most trusted insurance brand1, helping more than 3 million Australians protect what matters.
Help has been at the heart of NRMA Insurance since its beginnings in 1925 as a member-only company that provided motor insurance policies to the first drivers in NSW. NRMA Insurance has grown to become a national brand that helps people protect their cars, homes and businesses. It has a proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against extreme weather and keep people safer on the road. NRMA Insurance helps Australians understand their local risks and prepare for extreme weather through its Help Nation initiative.
NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, Australia and New Zealand’s largest general insurer.
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