EMERGENCY: Take Shelter Now (flood alert)

Back
Published
17th December 2023

TAKE SHELTER NOW – Cassowary Coast – flood emergency warning as at 1pm Sunday 17 December 2023.

Warning level: Emergency Warning 

This warning is from the Cassowary Coast Local Disaster Management Group.

Major flooding is happening across the Cassowary Coast now with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing the following Major Flood Warnings:

Take shelter now inside and up high. Do not try to drive. 

People in the Johnstone, Tully and Murray River catchments are at particular risk and should act now. Other Cassowary Coast residents are also at risk and should check the flood maps at https://disaster.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/.

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


Impacts

  • Homes and buildings have been flooded. 
  • Power, water, sewerage and telephone services could be lost in the area.  
  • Roads or bridges have been flooded. 
  • Landslides could happen. 
  • Floodwater can be very deep, rise quickly and move fast.  

 

What you should do 

If you are outside now 

  • Go to a safe place, indoors and on high ground. 
  • If you cannot shelter inside, get to higher ground away from trees. Trees can fall down when the ground is very wet.
  • Move away from creeks and rivers. 

If you are already driving

  • Driving now is dangerous. Find a high safe place to pull over away from trees, creeks and rivers.
  • Floodwater is dangerous - do not drive through floodwater. If the road is flooded, go a different way.
  • Evacuation Centres have been opened at
    • Innisfail Shire Hall, 70 Rankin Street
    • South Johnstone State School, East Avenue
    • Mena Creek Hotel, corner of Japoonvale Rd & Mena Creek Rd
  • An Evacuation Centre in Tully is on stand by and will open should the need arise.
  • Listen to your local radio station for warnings and traffic updates.  

If you are inside now 

  • Do not expect emergency services to come to your door.
  • Stay inside and watch for rising flood water. 
  • If floodwater comes inside, move to a higher point like the kitchen bench or second storey and call Triple Zero (000).  
  • Warn friends, family and neighbours in the area. 

More information 

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.