Hazard guides · Apps and warning services
Queensland emergency apps and warning services compared
Quick answer
Choose a service for the job: official agency warnings for emergency directions, a weather service for forecasts and radar, local radio for emergency information, and SES Assistance QLD for non-life-threatening storm and flood help. Hazards QLD is an independent Queensland app for combining hazard information and watching places you choose.
Compare the service with the task
Compare each service's purpose, coverage and access using its publisher's information.
| Service | Purpose | Coverage and access | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazards QLD | Independent hazard-awareness app for iPhone, iPad and Android: map, list, source links and watch zones. A$2.99 one-off, with no account, ads or subscription. | Queensland hazard information from configured public sources, with notifications tied to saved places. | Not a government app or emergency service. Coverage and freshness depend on publishers; notifications can be delayed or missed. |
| Queensland Government current warnings website | Official Queensland Government website for severe weather, flood, cyclone warnings and Emergency Alerts, with links to other warning authorities. | Queensland; links include bushfire, maritime and heatwave warnings, plus local government disaster dashboards. Accessible in a web browser. | This is a website, not an app watch zone. Its publisher says displayed map data can have up to a five-minute delay. Follow the responsible agency's instructions. |
| BOM Weather | The Bureau of Meteorology's official weather app: forecasts, radar, observations and weather warnings. Its publisher describes it as free and ad-free. | Australia-wide on Apple and Android devices, with rain and warning notifications for up to three locations. A separate service from Hazards QLD. | Weather warnings can cover broad areas. Fire-weather warnings describe weather risk and are different from bushfire incident warnings. Check notification permissions and the warning details. |
| ABC Emergency and ABC listen | Services from Australia's national public broadcaster: ABC Emergency provides emergency information and a searchable incident map; the separate ABC listen app streams local ABC Radio. | Australia-wide ABC Emergency website with suburb or postcode search. ABC listen is available for Apple and Android devices. | The website map and radio app serve different purposes. Live radio streaming needs internet; keep a battery-powered radio available. Follow warnings from the responsible authorities. |
| SES Assistance QLD | Official Queensland service to request non-life-threatening storm and flood assistance, and check, update or cancel assistance requests. | Queensland, through Apple and Android apps or the online service at 132500.qld.gov.au. You can also call 132 500. | An assistance-request service rather than a hazard-warning map. Request-status notifications are not hazard subscriptions. If life is threatened, call Triple Zero (000). |
Publisher references
- Hazards QLD: Hazards QLD product FAQ
- Queensland Government current warnings website: Queensland Government current warnings
- BOM Weather: BOM Weather features · Bureau app help and notification settings
- ABC Emergency and ABC listen: ABC Emergency website · ABC mobile radio help · About ABC NEWS
- SES Assistance QLD: SES assistance FAQ · SES online assistance requests
Choose several ways to stay informed
- Find the official warnings and council disaster dashboard relevant to your Queensland places.
- Choose weather and hazard-awareness tools for the information you need, and configure notification permissions before severe weather arrives.
- Know how to receive local radio and how to request non-life-threatening storm or flood assistance.
- Keep official emergency-warning channels and local radio available alongside your preferred apps.
What this comparison covers
The comparison uses each publisher's documented services, coverage and access options.
Service features and prices can change. Check each publisher's linked documentation and store listing. A weather warning, a bushfire incident, a radio report and an assistance request answer different questions.
Privacy and saved-place data · App support
Where to find official emergency directions
- For current official warnings and what to do, check the Queensland Government's warnings page. Queensland Government current warnings
- Emergency services can also send Emergency Alert messages straight to phones in an affected area, whichever apps you use.
- In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and follow the directions of emergency services.
Questions
Is Hazards QLD an official Queensland Government app?
No. Hazards QLD is independent. Use the Queensland Government current-warnings website and the responsible authority for official instructions. SES Assistance QLD is the separate official service for storm and flood assistance requests.
Is ABC Emergency the same as ABC listen?
No. ABC Emergency provides emergency information and an incident map on its website. ABC listen is the separate app for listening to ABC Radio on a phone or tablet.
Which service lets me request SES assistance?
Use SES Assistance QLD, 132500.qld.gov.au or call 132 500 for non-life-threatening storm or flood assistance. Call Triple Zero (000) if life is threatened.
Get Hazards QLD
A$2.99 one-off, with no account and no ads.
More guides: Bushfires · Floods · Storms and cyclones · Roads · Power outages · Address alerts · Incidents and warnings · Cyclone season · Fire danger and fire bans · Emergency Alert · FAQ