AUSTRALIAN WARNING SYSTEM | SEVERE WEATHER ADVICE | PREPARE NOW

Advice as at 4.17pm Friday, 9 January.

PREPARE NOW — Atherton Tablelands Region — Severe weather: heavy rain and strong winds.

Warning level — ADVICE

Warning area — For people in parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.

This warning is issued by Tablelands Regional Council.

The Bureau of Meteorology advises the tropical Low approaching the North Tropical Coast is now forecast to reach tropical cyclone intensity prior to crossing the coast bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds into the weekend. However, the heavy rainfall and damaging wind impacts are likely to be similar whether or not it becomes a tropical cyclone.

Gales with wind gusts to 100 km/h are forecast to develop over exposed coastal areas and the Tablelands between Cairns and Tully on Saturday morning and may extend north to include Cairns and Port Douglas if the system tracks further west than forecast. Damaging winds could cause debris like fallen trees, powerlines could come down, and the power could go out.

Heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding and dangerous driving conditions. Six hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 150mm with isolated falls more than 200mm are possible.

Separate flood watch and marine warnings are available from the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.

Prepare now because conditions could become dangerous.

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

Possible Impacts:

Very heavy rain will make it dangerous to drive.
Flash flooding in some areas.
The power could go out.
Public transport could stop.
Strong winds and fallen trees.

What you should do:

Check or make an emergency kit. Find out how at Get Ready Queensland.
Get your home ready. Find out how at Get Ready Queensland.
Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.

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

Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan now if you have one.
Make sure you have medication close by and accessible.
If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now How you will manage/where you will go in case you lose power.
Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave. Leaving early is safer than waiting. .

If you are camping, caravanning or outdoors:

Start securing your campsite.
Be ready to move people, pets, camping gear and vehicles to shelter if dangerous storms come.
If you’re outdoors, plan to return to your car, home or campsite. If you can’t, decide now where you will shelter if the storm comes.

Sandbags:

If you require sandbags to help protect your home, emergency sandbags and sand are available at no charge for residential use only, for those needing them as a priority.

Public collection sites include:

Atherton Showgrounds — Louise Street and Robert Street, Atherton
Malanda Showgrounds — Thomas Street and Park Avenue, Malanda
Ravenshoe State School car park — Ascham Street and Kidner Street, Ravenshoe.

Supplies will be limited, so we ask that you please ensure not to take more than you need, particularly large quantities. You can always return and collect more if needed.

For members of the community who are unable to collect sandbags themselves and don’t have someone who can help, please call 132 500 to request SES assistance.

More information:

Go to our Emergency Management Dashboard for the latest weather warning, emergency contacts, road closures and conditions, power outages, news from our Disaster Coordination Centre, links to ABC radio and key social media.
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology for weather information.
Listen to our local radio stations.

For helpful information on using sandbags to protect your home, visit https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/sandbags.

The next update will be when the situation changes.