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AUSTRALIAN WARNING SYSTEM — RIVERINE FLOODING WATCH & ACT | PREPARE NOW FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING

UPDATE — THIS WARNING HAS EXPIRED. CHECK FOR UPDATED WARNINGS ON OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DASHBOARD.

PREPARE NOW FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING — Atherton Tablelands Region — flood as at 7am Sunday 17 December 2023.

Warning level — ADVICE

Warning area — Tablelands Regional Council local government area.

This warning is from Tablelands Regional Council.

A coastal trough across the North Tropical Coast will remain slow-moving through the day, enhancing rainfall across North Tropical Coast and nearby ranges.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast from Cooktown to Tully today. Six-hourly rainfall totals 150–200mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 250mm along the coast and adjacent ranges. Twenty four-hourly rainfall totals between 250–350mm are likely, with possible isolated falls up to 400mm along the coast and adjacent ranges.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING.

People should prepare now in case flooding intensifies.

Emergency services may not be able to come to your door.

Impacts

  • River and creek levels are rising quickly.
  • There will be some flooding near the river and creeks.
  • Some roads could be flooded.
  • Public transport could stop.
  • Very heavy rain will make it dangerous to drive.

What you should do

  • Decide if you and the people you live with will leave if floodwaters get close to your house.
  • If you have children make sure they are with you or a responsible adult.
  • Warn friends, family and neighbours in the area. Help others if you can.
  • Lift important things onto benches, tables, high shelves or upstairs.
  • Move cars to high ground.
  • Make sure you have enough food, drinking water, medicine and pet food for up to five days.
  • Be prepared to have no power. Charge mobile phones now.
  • If you find it hard to move quickly leaving early is safer than waiting. Call your support service, a family member or a friend to help.
  • Get and fill sandbags in case you need to block doors and stop water getting inside. Sand is available from:
    • Atherton Twelfth Avenue near the reservoir and Vernon Street near the skate park.
    • Malanda Showgrounds near the SES building.
    • Ravenshoe State School in the staff car park.
    • Herberton near the Herberton Mining Centre.

Elderly people and those who are unable to fill sandbags can contact the State Emergency Service SES on 132 500 or via the SES app. Bring a shovel to fill the bags.

  • Use sandbags to block toilets, sinks and drains to stop sewerage backflow.
  • Stay away from rivers and creeks.
  • Batten down and tie up boats, jetskis and pontoons. Haul out if you can.

If you decide to leave early:

  • Go to a safe and high place, away from flooding. This could be with family or a friend.
  • Take your pets, pet food, pet lead, crate, mobile phone, charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents (like identification, insurance papers and passport), medicine, cash, valuables and keys.
  • Block toilets, sinks and drains with sandbags to stop sewerage backflow.
  • Lock windows and doors.
  • If you come to a flooded road, turn around and go another way. Do not drive through floodwater.

If you are camping or caravanning:

  • Pack up your campsite.
  • Check water levels and warning updates.
  • Be ready to move people, pets, camping gear and vehicles to higher ground.

If you have livestock:

  • Move livestock to higher ground. You may need to open gates to other paddocks so animals can move if floodwaters rise.
  • Block access to low-lying paddocks, shelters or other places near creeks and rivers.
  • Provide lots of food and clean water in a safe place away from creeks and rivers.
  • Make sure animals can be identified if they get lost. This may include brands or tags.

More information

  • Go to our Emergency Management Dashboard (dashboard.trc.qld.gov.au) 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.
  • If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
  • For cyclone emergency help, call the SES on 132 500 or download the SES Assistance QLD app.
  • Visit the Bureau of Meteorology (bgov.au/qld) for weather information.
  • Listen to our local radio stations.

 The next update will be when the situation changes.

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