The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has announced a major overhaul to flood warnings after an independent inquiry found it was "unprepared for events of the scale" seen earlier this year.
From tomorrow, the SES will switch to the Australian Warning System (AWS) — the nationally consistent three-tier classification also used by the Rural Fire Service.
The three levels of warning will be "advice", "watch and act", and "emergency".
Each warning will also come with the location and type of hazard impacting the community, and a statement on how to act.
For example, an "emergency" warning encourages people to evacuate, take shelter or move to higher ground.
It signifies a streamlining from the previous system used by the SES, where seven levels of warnings could be issued.
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said simplifying the system would make a significant difference.
"It is definitely hoped that it will save lives," she said.
"The benefit is that it is an Australian joining system, so it doesn't matter who's coming into the state or where our community members are travelling, the messages are the same."
The announcement comes as the nation braces for storm season, which stretches between October and March.
Earlier this year, an independent flood inquiry found the SES was unprepared to respond to the scale of catastrophic floods in early 2022.
"This was demonstrated by the many failures to give timely public warnings which led to the need for a high number of rescues, especially in the Northern Rivers, where community rescues significantly outnumbered SES rescues," the report read.
The inquiry subsequently marked the implementation of the AWS as a priority "to provide greater consistency in public information and warnings."
The SES was criticised for the decision to drop evacuation orders the night before flooding in the northern NSW city of Lismore, only for it to be reinstated early the next morning.
It led to people waking up to inundated streets, just a month after record flooding killed at least four people across the region.
NSW also faces a third consecutive La Nina system over the coming months, which is expected to dump heavy rainfall on already saturated catchments.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a stark warning for what's to come.
"Over the coming months, we have a heightened risk of flooding... both riverine and flash flooding," meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said.
Minister for Emergency Services Steph Cooke said many of the regions likely to be impacted by the season were already suffering — and her thoughts are with them.
"My message to communities who have been deeply quite affected over the last 18 months is that we know that you are weary," she said.
"We understand your increased anxiety about what you will be facing over the months ahead.
"The best thing that we can all do is be prepared."
The AWS has already been adopted by ever bushfire agency in Australia, with all storm services expected to follow.
