High alert for cyclones
Residents urged to start preparing
CYCLONE season has officially begun and NQ residents are being urged to prepare for the worst with at least four cyclones expected to threaten the state between now and next April.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s tropical cyclone outlook reveals Queensland has a 74 per cent chance of seeing more than four cyclones this season (November – April), with at least one or two expected to make landfall.
The Bureau said in La Niña years, the first cyclone to make landfall on the Australian coast typically occurs earlier than normal, around the middle of December.
It prompted Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill to urge residents to finalise their preparations for extreme weather events coming into cyclone season.
“As we do every year, we are reminding locals that we are heading into the time of year
to start preparing for the upcoming high-risk weather season by cleaning up around the yard, checking your current insurance policy, checking in with neighbours that may have just moved here and restocking household supplies and emergency kits,” she said.
“Residents also need to have a plan for what they will do with their pets in the case of evacuation.”
Ms Hill, who is also chair of the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group, also encouraged all residents to be flood-safe and road safe.
“You must never drive
through a flooded road and must do everything possible to avoid walking through flood waters,” she said.
“Floodwater can hide all sorts of dangers such as uneven ground, strong currents, vehicles, tree debris, sewage, chemicals, deadly animals, and electrical currents. “In some circumstances, the force of fast-flowing water can be multiplied many times. This is why If it’s flooded, forget it.”
She said Townsville council had an online emergency management and disaster dashboard with information. Visit