Powers invoked to evacuate residents from cyclone’s path

Premier Anna Bligh has today invoked powers to evacuate residents of areas in the path of severe Cyclone Hamish in a bid to ensure all Queenslanders remain safe.

Ms Bligh and Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts invoked the powers under the Queensland Disaster Management Act which allows disaster management groups to evacuate residents they believe are in danger.

“Even though we have today invoked these powers, we hope not to be in a position where they have to be enforced,” Ms Bligh said.

“But it is vital that we have the powers in place in the interest of the safety of all coastal residents who may be in danger.

“It is imperative that we keep the safety of all residents paramount and ensure that everyone is out of the path of this extremely serious cyclone.”

Mr Roberts said the unpredictability of the cyclone – coupled with the possibility of a storm surge of 1.5 to two metres should the cyclone turn toward the coast – meant every precaution needed to be taken to keep residents safe.

Residents in communities from Lucinda to Hervey Bay have been placed on alert.

“All people in these areas – in every community between Lucinda and Hervey Bay – need to be on alert and should be prepared to move at extremely short notice in the event that Hamish changes direction,” Mr Roberts said.

“It is the unpredictability of events such as this that is so concerning.

“The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting damaging winds exceeding 200 kilometres per hour close to the centre of the cyclone making this an extremely dangerous event.

“We want to ensure all people in the region are safe as possible.”

Ms Bligh and Mr Roberts were briefed this morning by emergency services chiefs and weather bureau forecasters who are forecasting exceptional high tides coupled with the risk of a storm surge, high seas and strong winds.

The cyclone is located in the north western Coral Sea about 230 kilometres east of Cairns and is moving south-southeast at seventeen kilometres per hour tracking parallel to the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish is currently a category 3 cyclone, and with a deepening low pressure cell, has the potential to form into a category 4.

“We are asking all people to prepare to move as quickly as possible from these areas and to stay constantly tuned to reports of the cyclone’s progress,” Ms Bligh said.

“It’s also important to prepare an emergency kit.

“We do not want to cause unnecessary alarm to people in these areas, but we need all Queenslanders between Lucinda and Hervey Bay to be prepared for the worst case scenario.”

7 March 2009

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