Total Flood Warning Systems (TFWS) are comprehensive, integrated frameworks that convert hydrological data into timely and effective warnings, empowering actionable decisions for flood preparedness, response, and recovery. These systems span the entire flood event lifecycle from detecting environmental triggers, forecasting flood levels to assessing potential impacts, and guiding coordinated community responses. While grounded in Australian design principles, TFWS underlying concepts and applications hold global relevance.
Led by experienced professionals in disaster and flood risk management, this course offers a systems-based understanding of flood forecasting and emergency response. It is designed to engage both technical and non-technical participants, providing insights into flood gauge networks, forecasting technologies, and intelligence platforms. The course also examines how complex technical data is translated into meaningful public communication and operational strategies.
Ideal for government officials across local, state, and federal levels, as well as consultants, engineers, emergency managers, and practitioners involved in flood planning and disaster communication.
Details
Date
Thursday, 6 November 2025 - Thursday, 13 November 2025
Adam started his career in local government as a civil design/cadet engineer working across stormwater and road infrastructure projects getting a taste for the basics. Then moving into managing a Coun... Read more
Course Overview
This course explores the structure and operation of Total Flood Warning Systems, combining flood forecasting, monitoring, messaging, and real-world application. Designed for both technical and non-technical participants, it equips professionals with tools to interpret flood intelligence, coordinate emergency response, and enhance community resilience across diverse risk scenarios.
Learning Outcomes
In this course, you will be able to:
Understand the overarching concept and components of a total flood warning system.
Understand the principles of designing and implementing monitoring and prediction components.
Understand the translation of complex technical information into community communication and messaging.
Learn through real life examples and applications of an advanced system from local government.
Course Outline
Session 1: Understanding Total Flood Warning Systems from Concept to Forecasting Intelligence
Introduce the concept, purpose, and structure of Total Flood Warning Systems (TFWS).
Understand the causes and risks of flooding, and how risk information feeds into warning system.
Explore key components of flooding and flood risk, and how these inform TFWS design.
Learn about flood monitoring tools like gauges and how forecasts are developed.
Explain how prediction and intelligence systems help communities respond before floods hit.
Session 2: Communicating Flood Risk through Messaging Systems and Real-World Applications
Gain insight into how flood intelligence supports disaster management and community protection.
Learn foundational techniques for designing and delivering effective flood messaging.
Understand how to tailor messages that resonate with diverse community needs and contexts.
Explore tools and processes that help emergency services communicate during flood events.
Examine real-world systems showcasing flood monitoring, forecasting, and community alerts in action.
Format
4+ hours of session recordings with unlimited access for 30-days.
Pre-and-post-course materials to go through via the AWS learning platform.
Homework exercises between the 2 sessions.
Slides, manual/s and background readings.
Ability to ask questions to the presenters at anytime through the live sessions and via the learning platform.
Pre-requisites
Minimal prior knowledge required, this course would be suited to early career flood modellers who would like to learn more about total flood warning systems for flooding and disaster management.
Requirements
A computer device.
Completion certification
Participants earn CPD hours/points (i.e. with Engineers Australia) for at least 4 hours for the entire course.
On completion of the course attendees will be issued with a Certificate of Completion.
