Ballina and Wardell residents will receive earlier and more localised flood warnings under a new forecasting service now operating on the Richmond River.

The Bureau of Meteorology and NSW State Emergency Service have activated new flood forecast and warning services for the Burns Point and Wardell river gauges, allowing authorities to provide more accurate predictions of how rising river levels are expected to affect those communities.

The upgrade follows concerns raised after the devastating 2022 floods, when gaps in real-time local flood information made it harder for residents and emergency services to assess the threat as floodwaters rose.

While river heights have long been recorded at Burns Point and Wardell, the gauges previously had no official minor, moderate or major flood classifications attached to them.

The new system changes that, allowing the Bureau to issue flood watches and quantitative flood warnings specifically for Ballina and Wardell based on forecast river levels.

NSW SES Acting Assistant Commissioner Brigid Rice said the new service would help residents make earlier decisions during flood events.

“These new flood warning services mean people in Ballina and Wardell will receive clearer information about what rising river levels are expected to mean for their local area, giving them more time to prepare, protect their property and leave early if needed,” she said.

“By providing earlier and more tailored warnings, we are giving communities the information they need to make safer decisions before floodwaters impact their homes, businesses and roads.”

The Ballina gauge at Burns Point Ferry.

Ms Rice said the system had already been tested during recent severe weather, with a minor flood warning for Ballina issued using the new forecasting service.

The NSW SES will use the Bureau’s forecasts from the Burns Point and Wardell gauges when issuing Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warnings for flooding on the Richmond River.

The flood forecast services are part of the Flood Warning Improvement Project, delivered by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water through the $75 million Joint Flood Recovery and Resilience Program, funded by the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund.

Ms Rice encouraged residents to familiarise themselves with the warning services before the next flood emergency.

“Warnings are most effective when people have prepared ahead,” she said.

“Download the Hazards Near Me app, create a Watch Zone for your local area, understand your flood risk and make a household emergency plan now. Being prepared before severe weather arrives can make all the difference.”

The upgraded warning system on the Wardell bridge.