1. Mission & Scope
Mid North Storms is a community-driven platform providing situational awareness on weather, bushfires, flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and critical news for South Australia and surrounding regions. We provide original weather reviews, interpretative forecasts, and real-time community observations alongside relayed data from official agencies to help keep our region informed and aware.
Information Nature
All information shared—whether original analysis, public observations, or relayed official data—is general in nature and not tailored to individual circumstances. Users must always verify information through official government sources.
2. Comprehensive Disclaimer (Liability Shield)
NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE
Mid North Storms is NOT an emergency response tool.
- In life-threatening situations, always dial 000.
- Our inbox is not monitored 24/7.
Unqualified Forecasts
Original forecasts and analyses are produced by unqualified meteorologists for educational and awareness purposes only.
3. Custom Website Map Tools Disclaimer
This platform hosts custom-built digital tools, including interactive weather maps, weather radar feeds, wind dynamic tools, rainfall trackers, and other specialized analytical mapping software. By utilizing these web applications, you explicitly acknowledge and agree to the following provisions:
- Best Ability Execution: All custom data aggregations, visualizations, and maps generated on this website are programmed and managed to the absolute best of our technical and analytical abilities.
- Accuracy Disclaimer: Weather tracking systems are highly complex. Data rendered by these custom engines—including live wind patterns, storm radar overlays, and accumulated rain readouts—may not always be correct or accurate due to software variations, server propagation delays, or input stream drops.
- No Safety Reliance: These custom tools are built purely for community interest, data tracking, and general educational awareness. They must never be relied upon to make safety or property protection decisions during an active severe weather event.
Official Data Relay
We relay data from authorities including the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Country Fire Service (CFS), State Emergency Service (SES), and SA Police (SAPOL). We are not responsible for inaccuracies, delays, outages, or omissions from these organisations.
Unverified Reports
Community reports, eyewitness accounts, and user-submitted media may be unverified, incomplete, or subject to rapid change. Use of such information is strictly at the user’s own risk.
No Professional Reliance
Nothing published by Mid North Storms should be relied upon as professional meteorological advice, emergency-management instructions, or safety guidance.
No Real-Time Guarantee
Social media posts and web dashboard scripts may be delayed or limited by server cycles. Silence or lack of updates does NOT indicate safety.
System Limitations
We rely on third-party systems (radars, satellites, APIs, web hooks, feeds). We cannot guarantee continuous uptime or absolute accuracy.
NO LIABILITY
Mid North Storms, its administrators, and contributors accept ZERO LIABILITY for:
- Personal injury or loss of life
- Property damage or financial loss
- Loss of business or reputational damage
- Reliance on any information posted or maps rendered on this site
Users assume full responsibility for their own safety and decisions.
4. Zero Tolerance Community Rules
We enforce a strict Zero Tolerance Policy. Breaking any rule results in an IMMEDIATE BAN with no warnings and no second chances.
Prohibited Content:
- Conspiracy theories (HAARP, chemtrails, geo-engineering, scalar waves, etc.)
- Political content of any kind.
- Dismissive or minimising comments (e.g., “It’s just summer”).
- Abuse, harassment, swearing, bullying, name-calling.
- Sensationalism or “doom posts” designed to cause fear.
- Photos of accidents, victims, or private property damage without permission.
- Medical misinformation or unverified health claims.
No Arguments About Moderation
Admin decisions are final. Repeated messages challenging bans or moderation decisions will result in a permanent block.
5. Extraordinary Captures (Sensitive Media)
If you capture extreme weather footage—such as tornadoes, dust devils, bushfires, flash flooding, lightning, storm structure, or major impacts:
PLEASE DO NOT POST IT PUBLICLY.
Submit via Private Message or securely here:
Secure Submission Link
Public Post Risk
If you upload extraordinary footage publicly, third-party media outlets may download and redistribute it without permission. Mid North Storms holds no responsibility for any redistribution.
6. Safety & Conduct
- Road Safety: Do NOT use your phone while driving or stop in dangerous locations to capture photos or videos.
- Emergency Zones: Do not enter fire grounds, floodwaters, storm-core areas, or restricted zones for reporting or filming purposes.
- No Encouragement: Mid North Storms does not encourage storm chasing, firefront chasing, or dangerous actions in severe weather.
7. Media Submission & Intellectual Property
By submitting content to our inbox, comment section, or page, you agree to the following terms:
- Ownership: You confirm you are the lawful owner or creator of the content submitted.
- Usage License: You grant Mid North Storms a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free license to share, display, edit, watermark, and distribute your media across our platforms.
- No Compensation: All media is submitted voluntarily. No financial compensation, royalties, or benefits will be provided.
- Watermarking Rights: We may watermark content with our logo and/or your name to prevent unauthorised third-party use.
- Indemnity: You indemnify Mid North Storms from legal claims or costs arising from content you do not own or have rights to submit.
- Brand Protection: The “Mid North Storms” name, logo, and branding are protected intellectual property. Impersonation or misuse of branding is prohibited.
8. Shared Content & Admin Notes
Third-Party Content: We frequently share content from other pages, groups, and users. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of such content.
Removal Requests: If we share your content and you want it removed, contact us via Facebook Message and we will act promptly.
Admin Notes (Internal): Admins may use private notes for organisational purposes (e.g., “media contributor,” “news outlet”). These notes are confidential and not visible to the public.
9. Moderation & Amendments
- Moderation Rights: We reserve the right to hide, delete, or restrict any content to protect the page from legal risk, misinformation, privacy breaches, harassment, or defamation.
- Policy Updates: We may revise these Terms at any time. Continued use of the page means you accept the updated terms.
10. Privacy Policy
Mid North Storms complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
- Data We Collect: Messages, submitted media, public profile info, and file metadata (date, time, location).
- How Data Is Used: To verify storm reports, assess authenticity, for safety communications, and media attribution.
- Data Sharing: We do not sell or provide personal data to third parties. Be aware that publicly posted media may be redistributed outside our control.
11. Official Resources & Legal Reference
Relevant Legislation:
- Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA)
- Defamation Act 2005 (SA)
- Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)
- Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)