Influx of safety seekers sparks overflow fears
WHEN 900 people registered at the Katherine evacuation centre on Friday, authorities thought they might have had a problem on their hands.
The number was far greater than had been anticipated, with dozens of spooked residents from communities outside the danger zone heeding the warnings meant for others further north.
The 900 registered on Friday included many from the communities of Beswick and Barunga which were not under threat. They were asked to return home on Friday.
But 450 others, mainly from the communities of Ngukkurr and Numbulwar, stayed on at the town’s main evacuation centre at the showgrounds.
Others filled Katherine’s hotels and motels or bunked with friends and family.
The ADF supplied extra tents and bunks.
Territory Families executive director Brent Warren said the operation went smoothly despite the unexpected influx of visitors.
“The influx of people who came in from Ngukkurr and Numbulwar, that was the single biggest group we were dealing with,” he said.
“Katherine was offered a great deal of extra support through Defence and we were able to increase their capacity of their main evacuation centre at the showgrounds with tents that Defence provided and erected for us,” he said.
Katherine Mayor Fay Miller said the team of volunteers had done an outstanding job.
“Everyone is in very good spirits; there are plenty of people in the sports area, the children are playing on the oval, there are lots of activities. Everybody is very calm and there is plenty of food,” she said.
“They’re being very well looked after by our amazing team of volunteers.’
Clothing had been provided to evacuees by St Vincent de Paul and by the Salvation Army.
“Katherine was offered a great deal of extra support through Defence “TERRITORY FAMILIES BRENT WARREN