Tropical Cyclone Guba monitoring continues overnight

The Queensland Government will continue to closely monitor category 1 Tropical Cyclone Guba over the next 24 hours.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said Tropical Cyclone Guba was expected to intensify and officers from the Department of Emergency Services’ Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) would monitor its movements as it nears Cape York and Torres Strait.

“Cyclones are ‘predictably unpredictable’ and Tropical Cyclone Guba has meandered around the Coral Sea for much of the last week,” Mr Roberts said.

“It has varied from a category 1 to category 3 cyclone in recent days. We are continuing to monitor it closely.”

As at 2pm today, Tropical Cyclone Guba was 175 kilometres north-east of Lockhart River and 300 kilometres east southeast of Horn Island.

Mr Roberts said all disaster management groups in the possible affected area are making preparations. EMQ has also organised regional resources and has local State Emergency Service (SES) personnel on standby.

There are more than 270 SES volunteers in the region north of Lockhart River and Weipa.

Mr Roberts said residents can make their own preparations.

Simple steps are for residents to:
·clear properties of rubbish;
·clean out gutters;
·check that home insurance is current; and
·prepare an emergency kit with emergency phone numbers, portable radio, spare batteries and first aid kit and manual.

“By being prepared for cyclones, people can greatly reduce the risks to family and property,” Mr Roberts said.

During a cyclone people should shelter in a solid section of a building, such as a hallway or built-in wardrobe, or under a mattress, doona, table or bench.

If boating, get ashore as soon as possible or seek protection beneath a high structure such as a bridge or jetty.

After the cyclone passes, listen to your local radio station for advice, check for gas leaks, structural damage and make temporary repairs, beware of fallen power lines, damaged buildings and trees and flooded watercourses.

For more helpful hints on how best to protect life and property during a cyclone check out the websites, www.disaster.qld.gov.au or for the latest advice go to www.bom.gov.au.

19 November 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350