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Preparedness Statement for Predicted Severe Wind and Weather Event 01/02/11

Prepare for the wet.

The Cloncurry Shire council is committed to the safety of the entire community, the shire works with the emergency services to ensure we can respond to severe weather events within the shire but there are a number of steps you should take to prepare your family for the wet season.

Cloncurry can experience severe storms during the hotter months, we get very little warning of these storms but they can deliver destructive winds and heavy rain. Cloncurry has recorded winds over 120km/hr; this is the same as a category two cyclone.  Damage from storms is normally caused by loose objects becoming projectiles and trees falling on houses, there are a few simple things you can do around the house:

Clean up any loose objects around the yard,

Trim trees away from the house,

Check the gutters and remove any build up of leaves,

Check the roof for loose sheets of iron or tiles that may be torn off by strong winds,

Keep an emergency kit in the house; severe storms may disrupt power and essential services for some time. Information on emergency kits is available on the Shire web site.

Check with your neighbours, they may need help preparing for the storm season.

During and after a storm

Call 000 for life threatening emergencies or the SES on 132500 for non life threatening damage,

Stay indoors and away from windows,

Shelter in the strongest part of the house,

Tune into the ABC for warnings,

If you are on the road stop in a visible area off the road, turn on your lights and hazard lights,

After the storm has passed be aware of fallen powerlines, if you notice fallen powerlines call the Ergon emergency line on 131670,

Whilst we welcome the seasonal rainfall it can also produce damaging floods. Unfortunately already this year we have seen a number of deaths across the state from people driving through flooded crossings. To prepare for a flood you should do the following:

Be informed, know what areas flood, if you have not experienced a flood in town talk to others or the council to find out if you might be effected by a flood,

If your home is prone to flooding have a plan to protect you property and know where you will go (friends or relatives) if you need to evacuate,

Stock up on basic non perishable foods, floods can delay the trucks into town and shops may run low on basic food items for some time,

Don’t go sightseeing during a flood driving in flood water is dangerous and pointless and you may cause more damage to houses by crating waves.

Don’t let kids play in flood water, the water may conceal dangers and children can be easily swept away in floodwater,

Obey road closed signs, these are in place for a reason. If you drive around them you risk not only your safety but your insurance will be void.

If you are travelling tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, roads may be cut without notice.

The wet is a natural part of the western Queensland, it brings much needed rain and transforms the landscape but it can also bring destructive forces of nature that we need to prepare for. In any natural disaster the community needs to be informed and work together to get through these events safely.