Prepare for storm season - October is ‘Get Ready Month’

OCTOBER is ‘Get Ready Month’ with Fraser Coast residents urged to prepare for storms and bushfires and have a plan to keep their family, home and pets safe.

Mayor George Seymour, also the Local Disaster Management Group chair, said bushfires were already occurring, while severe storms could bring flash flooding, high winds and potentially damaging hail.

“We’re encouraging everyone to think about the big picture and what they would do in the event of a natural disaster or severe weather,” he said.

“Even though we are entering an El Nino phase which typically means it will be hot and dry with below average rainfall, it only takes one cyclone to cross the coast and we could have major flooding.

“That’s why it’s so important to be prepared by having an emergency plan, packing an emergency kit, cleaning up your yard, and signing up for Disaster Dashboard notifications.”

Cr Seymour said October was a good time to clean up around your home and secure or get rid of any items that could become a hazard during a storm.

“We encourage residents to visit Council’s website for all the details about what can be disposed of for free and how to sort your load.”

Cr Seymour said an emergency kit should have the supplies you need for several days in case you lose power and water and have enough for every family member, including your pets.

“It’s important to have an emergency plan and know where you would go if you needed to evacuate, how you would care for pets and livestock, and whether you or any of your family members have medical conditions or special needs to consider,” he said.

“Having a plan means everyone in your household knows what to do when severe weather warnings are issued. It’s also good to get to know your neighbours and consider people in your neighbourhood who may need your help.”

“Council’s Disaster Dashboard - https://disaster.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/ - is your one-stop shop for information about emergencies and disasters, with everything from road closures to flood cameras as well as fire danger ratings and links to weather warnings,” he said.

“You can opt-in for email and SMS notifications through the Disaster Dashboard and even change the language setting.

For more information about how to prepare for storm season, visit https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/storm-season-clean-up