Northern Cape Region Council advises people in the council area to PREPARE NOW for Tropical Cyclone Narelle that is moving slowly towards the Southeast Queensland coast.
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, contact SES on 132500, 132500.qld.gov.au, or the SES Assistance Qld app on Android or iOS. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises that Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U) is currently at category 2 intensity in the northern Coral Sea. TC Narelle is expected to move steadily to the west and approach the far northeast Queensland coast across the Northern Cape Region. A severe impact is likely late in the week.
Conditions will get worse as it gets closer to land.
You could expect:
• Very strong winds that could knock down trees, powerlines, and blow roofs off.
• Power, phone, internet, and water might stop working.
• Heavy rain and storm surge may cause flooding in some places.
What you need to do:
Check or make an emergency kit:
• Find out how to get ready for a tropical cyclone at the Get Ready Queensland website (Get Prepared) and make an emergency kit.
• Fill up containers and the bath with clean water for drinking in case the water supply is cut off.
Prepare your property:
• Put away or tie down outside items like furniture, gas bottles, and play equipment.
• If your home is not safe, plan to stay with family or friends.
• If you are near the beach or a coastal waterway, storm surge could cause flooding. This is dangerous.
• Close cyclone shutters if you have them, or cover windows with plywood, mattress, or heavy blanket.
• Find out how to safely turn off power, solar, water, and gas to your house. Be ready to turn it off if told to.
• Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.
If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs:
• Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP) now if you have one.
• Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week.
• If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power.
• Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave.
• Leaving early is safer than waiting.
If you are a tourist, visitor, camper or caravanner:
• Campers and caravanners should start packing up now.
• If you do not need to be in the warning area, leave now. Check road conditions and plan your route before you leave.
For more information:
• Follow our local council disaster dashboard here www.disaster.cook.qld.gov.au
• Listen to your local radio
• For power outage information go to ergon.com.au/network
• Check the latest weather, warnings, rainfall, and river heights at the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.
• Check road closures at the QLD Traffic website or for phone service call 13 19 40.
• Check disruptions to public transport at the Translink website.