As the recovery effort from the April superstorm continues, attention has turned towards how the community could be more prepared for a similar weather event in future.
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Maitland City Council representatives will meet with State Emergency Service and Bureau of Meteorology representatives to discuss how warnings and reporting of severe storms and floods could be improved, if councillors approve a notice of motion raised by Cr Arch Humphery on Tuesday night.
The storm that hit the Hunter on April 21, caused by an east coast low, brought 400mm of rain in a 24-hour period in the Tocal area.
Parts of Maitland and Dungog were isolated and the New England Highway was cut for almost a week because of the resulting flood.
Cr Humphery, who recently attended the Floodplain Management Association National Conference, has suggested that council’s Floodplain Management Committee should work with the SES and BoM to improve severe weather warnings.
“Serious concerns have emerged following the recent flood event, particularly in the forecasting, warning and reporting areas,” he wrote in a council report tabled this week.
“At the recent Floodplain Management Association National Conference the SES commissioner Adam Dent outlined some issues that need addressing in response to various floods.
“Locally he has called for a review of the Dungog flood – a process that would involve all levels and sources of external information.
“Council is well placed to assist in the review having essential technical information that would be beneficial to such a review.”
The mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, said he would welcome any new information available to council during major weather events.
“We are talking about storms here, we do depend on reports we receive,” he said.
“Any additional information would be well received.”
The Mercury was unable to reach Cr Humphery for further comment about the issue on Monday.
