Queenslanders reminded to prepare their home and family for extreme weather

• Get Ready Queensland Week, 9-15 October 2023, is the time for all Queenslanders to prepare for extreme weather.
• Queenslanders are encouraged to take three simple steps to get ready for the impacts of bushfires, storms, floods and heatwaves - understand their risk, prepare a household emergency plan, and pack an emergency kit.
• The Get Ready Queensland program is a year-round, all-hazards, resilience building initiative to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

Queenslanders are being asked to take simple steps to prepare for this season’s extreme weather, no matter where they live across the state.

Get Ready Queensland Week launched today at events in Brisbane and Townsville with the message to plan ahead and pack an emergency kit.

Research shows that almost half of all Queenslanders are already preparing their home and family by understanding how extreme weather can interrupt their lives, planning what they will do, and having supplies to keep them safe and comfortable.

Adding long-life food, drinking water, a torch with spare batters and toiletries to your shopping list will help you and your family if the shops are closed, the water stops or power goes out.

As part of the launch events, the Bureau of Meteorology revealed this year’s Severe Weather Outlook for Queensland after recently declaring that the El Nino weather pattern had arrived.

The Townsville event saw the launch of the Get Ready Queensland Trolley Tour, a week-long road trip of regional Queensland promoting the importance of preparing for extreme weather.

The Get Ready Queensland program is managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the state’s lead agency for disaster resilience and recovery, and is sponsored by Suncorp with support from retail partner IGA.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Queenslanders know just how bad natural disasters can be, so it is absolutely vital that everyone acts now, to get ready.

“We know that nearly half of all Queenslanders are already preparing for bad weather, but we want to see that number grow.

“I’m really proud of the QRA team this year for getting out and reminding Queenslanders what they can do around the house to get ready, including making sure you have the right pantry and home essentials, should disaster strike.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and minister responsible for the QRA Steven Miles:

“With a long, hot summer ahead, there is no doubt parts of Queensland will again be impacted by extreme weather,” Mr Miles said.

“While we can’t control the weather, we can prepare for its effects and reduce its impacts.

“Queensland is the most disaster-affected state in Australia.

“Since 2011 we’ve experienced more than 100 natural disasters which have left a combined reconstruction and recovery bill in excess of $22 billion.

“Queensland has been on high alert for bushfires for many weeks now, with our fire services working hard to contain several large burns around the state.

“These are timely reminders that we can’t afford to be complacent to natural disasters and all Queenslanders, young and old, should also get ready and be prepared for the possibility of more extreme weather.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Cooper Jonty Bush:

“Get Ready Queensland Week is a critical reminder to prepare now for the upcoming disaster season – act now, don’t wait.

“Ensure you and your family have supplies at home, that you have your emergency plan in place, and that your insurance policy is up to date.”

Quotes attributable to Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson Laura Boekel:

“Even though El Nino and the positive Indian Ocean Dipole have been declared and are likely to increase the chance of heatwaves and fire dangers over the coming months, Queensland is also likely to experience severe thunderstorms that can bring damaging winds, rain and hail,” Ms Boekel said.  

“Severe weather is unpredictable and can happen at any time of the year in Queensland so it's important to stay up to date with the latest forecast and warnings on the Bureau's website or the BOM Weather app.”

 Quotes attributable to Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd):

“Get Ready Queensland Week is a reminder that almost every corner of our great state has been impacted by natural disasters at some stage – some many times,” Mr Ellwood said.

“In fact, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority is currently managing an active reconstruction program with an estimated value of more than $7.4 billion, comprising works from 32 events across the 2019-20 to 2022-23 disaster seasons.

“We know more extreme weather is in store, even if we don’t know when, so it’s vital we’re ready when disaster strikes.

“We want every Queenslander to share our vision of creating stronger, safer, more resilient Queensland communities.

“During Get Ready Queensland Week, I encourage everyone to prepare appropriately, take the time to make an emergency plan and when you’re at the supermarket grab what you need for your emergency kit.”

Quotes attributable to Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston:

“As Get Ready Queensland Ambassador, I want to encourage all Queenslanders to take the opportunity to be prepared – to Get Ready,” Mr Thurston said.

“Queensland’s sheer size and diversity means we face multiple challenges from extreme weather, and from personal experience I know how devastating the impacts of natural disasters can be.

“The memories and impacts of the terrible floods that swamped Townsville four-and-a-half years ago remain fresh in my mind.

“While we can’t prevent natural disasters, we can lessen the impacts on our homes and loved ones.

“Just grabbing a few extra items next time you’re at the shops is all it takes to stock an emergency kit, to help keep you and your family safe at home.”

Quotes attributable to Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston:

“Suncorp is passionate about helping communities prepare for severe weather season, which is why we’re a proud partner of Get Ready Queensland Week each year,” Mr Johnston said.

“It was only last year that south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales saw devastating floods that ended up being one of the most costly extreme weather events in Australia’s history with nearly $6 billion in claims.

“Now we’re facing El Nino conditions and the possibility of bushfires, which can also be started by severe storms and lightning strikes.

“Now is the time to make sure you’re as prepared as you can be for any severe weather event that may be around the corner and to also check your insurance cover and what you’re covered for.”

Quotes attributable to Graham Booysen, CEO of IGA Cornetts Supermarkets:

“At IGA the locals really do matter, and we are incredibly proud to partner with Get Ready Queensland to support local communities across the state when it comes to preparing for extreme weather events in Queensland,” Mr Booysen said.

“We encourage Queenslanders to get familiar with what they need to keep their family safe, for example grabbing a few extra items during their next grocery shop to create a household emergency kit, things like long-life food, drinking water, a torch and spare batteries.

“It’s easy to add items like these to your weekly shop, and they will help Queenslanders be prepared in case disaster strikes.

“We hope our local shoppers won’t need these emergency kits, but if extreme weather does hit, IGA retailers across Queensland will be there providing essential products and doing whatever they can to keep their local communities safe.”

More information is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au.

ENDS