Warning Level - Advice - Prepare for Possible Storm Surge

 

PREPARE NOW FOR POSSIBLE STORM SURGE – Cassowary Coast Region

Advice as at: 10:15am, Monday, 11 December 2023.

Warning level: Advice

Warning area: Cassowary Coast Region – RED storm tide zones

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

Tropical Cyclone Jasper could cause a storm surge in RED zones according to the Cassowary Coast Storm Tide evacuation maps:

• Map 1 Innisfail

• Map 2a Mourilyan

• Map 2b Mourilyan Harbour

• Map 3 Cowley Beach

• Map 4 Maria Creek (Kurrimine to Bingil Bay / Narragon)

• Map 5 Mission Beach

• Map 6a Euramo

• Map 6b Tully / Hull Heads

• Map 7 Bilyana

• Map 8 Kennedy

• Map 9 Cardwell

• Map 10 Damper Creek

• Map 11 Rungoo

Storm surge is when coastal waters rise above highest tide levels because of a cyclone. The tsunami-like waves can go a long way inland. Storm surge is a threat to life and property. People in these places should prepare now for possible storm surge.

Impacts

• Big waves and sea water will travel a long way inland and through coastal creeks and rivers. This can flood and damage buildings, wash away roads and cars, and damage bridges.

• Roads could be blocked by fallen trees, powerlines or flood water from the cyclone.

• There will be lots of wind and rain from the cyclone. There will be flooding in low-lying areas.

• Power, water, phone and sewerage services could stop working.

 What you should do

• Decide now where you will go if the storm surge starts.

• If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.

Prepare your home now

o Put chemicals and poisons up high to stop them polluting the water.

o Lift important things onto beds, benches, tables, high shelves or upstairs to protect them.

o Block toilets, sinks and drains with sandbags to stop sewerage backflow if you can.

o Empty and turn off fridges and freezers.

o Be ready to turn off the power, solar, water and gas before you leave home. This will help remove electrical dangers when you come back.
o Move cars to high ground away from trees.

Pack an emergency kit now

• battery-powered radio to listen to warnings
• torch and spare batteries
• tinned and packet food and bottled water to last five days
• enough clothes for five days
• important medicine
• important papers (like ID, insurance papers and passports)
• first-aid kit
• mobile phone, charger and charged power bank
• toilet paper, face masks and hand sanitiser
• if you have very young children, enough nappies for up to five days, wipes, bottles, formula or baby food. Plan to not have a fridge or microwave
• if you have a pet, enough pet food for five days, a lead and/or crate.
• Some cash in case Eftpos or ATMs are not in working

Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.

If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs 

• Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP) now if you have one.
• If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power.
• Call your support person or service to organise transport.
• Leaving early is safer than waiting.

If you are a tourist or visitor, camper or caravanner 

• Campers and caravanners should start packing up now.

• If you do not need to be in the area, leaving now is the safest option.
• Travel out of the warning area. Check road conditions and plan your route before you leave.

If you have a boat or jet-ski

• Take your boat, jet-ski, canoe or kayak out of the water and store securely on land if possible.
• If your boat is kept on the water, check your moorings and relocate it to a safer mooring if possible.
• If your boat is in a marina, batten down and check-in with the marina manager.
• Check your area’s Extreme Weather Contingency Plan on the Maritime Safety Queensland website.

More information 

• For all warnings, visit the Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard website regularly.
• Listen to your local radio station.

• For weather information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.
• For power outage information, visit the Ergon web site.
• For traffic and road closure information, visit the QLD Traffic website or call 13 19 40.
• The flood maps and other disaster advice can be found at https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/disaster-information

The next update will be when the situation changes.

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