From Sunday 19 April to Wednesday 22 April 2015, a low pressure weather system developed off the east coast of NSW, resulting in widespread heavy rainfall over the Hunter region. This sustained heavy rainfall caused major flooding on the Williams and Paterson Rivers, on Wollombi Brook, and the Lower Hunter River. In addition to flooding of these major waterways, smaller "super cell" storms caused local flash flooding in several areas, including around Maitland, Cessnock, Tocal, Dungog, Stroud, Newcastle and others. The floods caused widespread destruction, hardship, and tragically, loss of life. There will be long-lasting consequences as the clean-up and recovery begins.
In the aftermath of the flooding, it is essential to collect accurate data about the extent, magnitude, and timing of the floods. This information is vital for understanding the flood risk, and for developing strategies for mitigating this risk in the future. Please provide any information you have about your experiences of the flooding in the following questions.
This survey is managed and funded by the NSW State Government, through the Office of Environment & Heritage. The data will be collected and collated by WMAwater, an engineering consultancy that specialises in floodplain management.