CHANGES to cyclone, flood and storm warnings are being rolled out across Western Australia with the introduction of the Australian Warning System (AWS).

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the adoption of the AWS for these hazards would ensure anyone who sees or hears a warning has a better understanding of what to do to stay safe.

The wider introduction of the AWS is part of a $16 million investment by the state government to deliver a world-class emergency warning system in WA.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is coordinating the rollout of the system, with warnings for cyclones, floods and storms now categorised using the same three levels already being used for bushfires and heatwaves: Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning.

Warnings for these hazards now share the same nationally consistent colours and icons, providing easily recognisable cues to help people make decisions during emergencies.

The warning level is determined by the threat posed to lives and homes before, during and in the aftermath of a natural disaster and is as follows:
Advice: An incident has started but there is no immediate threat to lives or homes. Be aware and keep up to date.
Watch and Act: There is a possible threat to lives and homes. Take action now to protect yourself and others.
Emergency Warning: There is a threat to lives and homes. You may be in danger and need to take immediate action.

The changes include the removal of the All Clear level.

Instead, a final Advice message will be issued, highlighting the remaining hazards that exist after a cyclone has passed or a bushfire is extinguished.

The AWS has been adopted by Emergency WA, which is the state’s official website for accurate and timely emergency information.

As part of the government’s multimillion-dollar commitment to enhance emergency messaging, the Emergency WA website is undergoing significant upgrades to deliver faster, more personalised and targeted warnings during emergencies.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the warning system will help people better understand what they need to do in the event of a cyclone, storm or flood as they are with bushfires with clear and consistent messaging.

“Up until now there has been a range of different alerts and warning levels for different hazard types across Australia and now the AWS will help everyone make informed decisions to protect themselves, their families and their property.

Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said the introduction of standardised warnings was part of a multi-year innovative project to improve public information, with continuing upgrades to the Emergency WA website and an app launching later this year.

An awareness campaign is underway to help people better understand the new AWS warnings.