Evacuation Advice for Cyclones

• A mandatory evacuation order for a cyclone is only issued if lives may be at risk from storm tide flooding. Therefore, a mandatory evacuation order will NOT be issued for the Tablelands Region for a cyclone.
• There are no Public Cyclone Shelters in the Tablelands Regional Council area.
• Residents should remain at their own premises, make themselves secure and listen to the radio for updates. All homes constructed since 1984 afford a certain level of cyclone protection. Your home is often the safest place for you and your family.
• If you live in a caravan, tent, bush shelter or in a have self-evacuated from the coast then you are encouraged to seek temporary shelter with family or friends in safer places or with an accommodation provider.
• If you do need to evacuate lock doors, turn off power, gas and water and take your evacuation kit and emergency kit with you. Consider lifting valuable items off the floor if the threat is flooding or storm surge. Wear strong shoes and tough clothing for protection. Leave early to avoid heavy traffic, flooding and wind hazards. Avoid using the range roads which are prone to landslips and closures from vehicle breakdown and debris.
• Council has earmarked a number of buildings to be used as a Refuge of Last Resort. This should be considered an absolute last resort and should only be used if you have nowhere else to go. Note: A Refuge of Last Resort is not intended as a Cyclone Shelter and is not designed to protect against high winds or windborne debris.
• If necessary, Council will establish Evacuation Centres once the cyclone has passed. Do not go to an Evacuation Centre unless officially advised. It will not be functioning and will not be ready to receive evacuees.
• Evacuation Centres and / or Refuges of Last Resort are typically large public buildings such as halls. They are likely to be crowded, noisy and uncomfortable. There may also be long queues for toilets and to access kitchen facilities. You will be required to register for safety purposes.
• Weapons, drugs, alcohol and other forms of anti-social behaviour are not acceptable in Evacuation Centres and / or Refuges of Last Resort. You will be asked to leave and removed by the Police if necessary.
• It is difficult for the authorities to manage large numbers of animals. Where it is safe to do so, leave your pets at home with plenty of food and water and allow your pet access to elevated spaces to escape danger. If domestic pets arrive at Evacuation Centres and / or Refuges of Last Resort they will only be accepted if adequately secured / restrained and if no alternative option is available.
• Evacuate using only one car per family / household. If you don’t have means of transport seek assistance from family, friends or neighbours. Contact the Disaster Coordination Centre as a last resort.
• The Disaster Coordination Centre will publicly notify the opening of Refuges of Last Resort and / or Evacuation Centres via local ABC and commercial radio broadcasts.

Public cyclone shelters

• The Queensland Government has released guidelines for the construction of purpose-built public 'cyclone shelters'. The Guideline provides detail on the requirements of public cyclone shelters including site selection, design of new buildings, including management and operational aspects.