An independent, wide-ranging report released into this year’s devastating flood events found some residents received delayed emergency alerts.

13 people died, more than 9000 homes and businesses were damaged in the devastating flood event from late February to early March this year.

The review, authored by Inspector-General of Emergency Management, Alistair Dawson, looked at the response from authorities and the emergency management.

It found releases from Wivenhoe Dam were well-managed but in some instances.

19 recommendations have been made, including an “urgent approval and distribution without delay” process for emergency alerts that emergency officers need to be trained on, that are written clearly and are consistent across councils.

Inspector-General Dawson said the dam was operated in “accordance with the way it should have been operated”.

He said the amount of rain fell outside the catchment area.

Neil: So the release of the water from the dam had nothing to do with Brisbane suburbs flooding, whatsoever?

Inspector-General Dawson: No, what I am saying is in a flood situation, the dam release information alone does not actually define downstream flooding.

Press PLAY below to hear the interview in full

Inspector-General Dawson said it was important to get information out to as many in the community as possible, in a timely fashion.

“The other thing is, time is not on our side when we are trying to warn people that there is flooding coming into their area, and that they actually need to take action.”