PREPARATIONS ALREADY IN PLACE FOR CYCLONE HAMISH

The Department of Emergency Services’ state disaster coordination centre in Kedron has today been activated in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Hamish, Premier Anna Bligh has announced.

“At 11am, Tropical Cyclone Hamish was located around 310 kilometres north, northeast of Cairns moving south, southwest at 10 kilometres per hour,” Ms Bligh said.

“The Bureau of Meteorology expects the category two system to intensify as it moves down the Queensland coast over the weekend and predictions are the system could make land around Mackay by late Sunday at the earliest.

“With that in mind the State Disaster Coordination Centre has this morning been activated, as has the State Operations Coordination Centre.

“Local disaster management groups in Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone have also been activated with all maintaining a watching brief on the situation.

“The big focus for many of the groups, especially in the north and far north, is the potential for heavy rain along the coast as the system moves south, impacting on major rivers and streams that are well-charged after heavy rains in January and February.”

Ms Bligh said State Emergency Service volunteers from Cairns to the Burdekin had also been placed on stand-by.

“Communities along our state’s northeast coastline are only now getting back on their feet after flooding last month associated with Tropical Cyclone Ellie,” she said.

“The last thing they need is another drenching.”

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said a major concern for Emergency Management Queensland and local disaster management groups was the potential for a storm surge along the coast.

“The bureau is forecasting the potential for a storm surge of around 2 metres which, if combined with high tides, has the potential to inundate low lying areas along the coast,” Mr Roberts said.

“Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has already deployed three swift water rescue teams as well as a rapid assessment team to Rockhampton, while the Queensland Ambulance Service has deployed additional equipment and personnel to Rockhampton.”

Mr Roberts said both state and local government authorities were ready for the cyclone.

“The Department of Emergency Services, through Emergency Management Queensland, and local councils and disaster management groups are well-versed in cyclone preparation and have the skills and knowledge to get the job done,” he said.

“However residents in the cyclone warning and watch areas also have a part to play and should be making their own preparations.

“They should be listening to regular weather and safety updates and creating an emergency kit including canned food, water, torches and batteries.”

6 March 2009

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