WATCH & ACT: Move to Higher Ground Away From Creeks and Rivers

MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND AWAY FROM CREEKS AND RIVERS – Cassowary Coast region - flood as at 9am Sunday 17 December 2023

Warning level: WATCH AND ACT

Warning area: Cassowary Coast

This warning is from Local Disaster Management Group / Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued the following warnings:

• Major Flood Warning for the Johnstone River Catchment
• Moderate Flood Warning for the Tully River and Major Flood Warning for the Murray River.

People at risk should move to high ground away from creeks and rivers.

Water in the local creeks and rivers is rising quickly and there is wide-spread flooding. Please monitor the situation and leave if you are at risk.

Do not expect emergency services to come to your door.

If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. For flood and storm emergency help, call the SES on 132 500.

Impacts in your area:

• Roads and bridges may be closed due to flooding.
• Evacuation routes might be cut off. You could be stuck.
• Power, phones, internet and water might stop working.

What you should do

• Go and stay in a safe place away from creeks and rivers. This could be with family or friends.
• If you do not have a safe place, an evacuation centre has been set up at:
  • Innisfail Shire Hall, 70 Rankin Street.

• If you find it hard to move quickly leave as soon as you can. If you do not drive, call your support service, a family member or a friend to organise transport.
• Decide how you will get to your safe place. If you come to a flooded road, turn around and go another way. Do not drive through floodwater.
• Take your pets, pet food, pet lead or crate, mobile phone, charger, enough clothes for three days, important documents (like identification, insurance papers and passports), medicine, cash and keys with you.
• If you have very young children, pack enough nappies for up to five days, wipes, bottles, formula or baby food. Plan to not have a fridge or microwave.
• If you have children make sure they stay with you or a responsible adult.

If you have livestock

• Move livestock to higher ground. You may need to open gates to other paddocks so animals can move if floodwaters rise.
• Block access to low-lying fields, shelters or other places near creeks and rivers.

More information

• For all warnings, visit the Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard website regularly.
• Listen to your local radio station – Radio 4KZ and Kool FM or ABC Far North.
• For weather information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.
• For power outage information, visit the Ergon website.
• For traffic and road closure information, visit the QLD Traffic website or call 13 19 40.

The next update will be issued as the situation changes.

For cyclone help, call the SES on 132 500 or download the SES Assistance QLD app.