Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula should prepare for the possibility of extreme weather from tomorrow, a government minister says.
The latest Tropical Cyclone Watch is continuing from Port McArthur (NT) to Burketown with the storm located 265 kilometres west of Mornington Island and 100 kilometres south southeast of Borroloola.
The tropical low has moved west and is expected to curve towards the northwest during today, remaining over land. The tropical low is expected to move back over water early Sunday and may develop into a tropical cyclone later on Sunday. It is possible that the system may reach category 2 intensity if it remains over water.
Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Mark Furner said with the possibility of a cyclone forming in the Gulf in coming days, he encouraged residents particularly in coastal communities to plan, prepare and get ready for extreme weather.
“Coastal and remote communities such as the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula are particularly susceptible to cyclones, flooding and road closures,” Mr Furner said.
Minister Furner said several disaster preparedness initiatives had already been rolled out in remote Northern Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk Government is assisting remote and discrete communities to stay informed and connected, where possible, in the event of extreme weather,” Mr Furner said.
“We’re working closely with all local District Disaster Management Groups (DDMG) across North Queensland to ensure remote and discrete communities are adequately prepared.”
The DDMG for the Gulf area has confirmed the active tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria is likely to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to the Gulf Country, with potential for localised flash flooding in Burketown, Doomadgee, Normanton, and on Mornington Island.
Minister Furner said stores in remote Indigenous communities were stocked with necessities including medicine, generators and non-perishable foods.
“Local stores in Doomadgee, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw and Lockhart River have essential supplies and are re-stocked by aircraft deliveries," the Minister said.
Residents should prepare early for extreme weather by securing loose items and cleaning up around our homes and gardens.
Motorists should avoid any unnecessary travel and remember if it’s flooded, forget it.
Tips for wet season preparedness include:
compile a list of family and emergency contacts
organise a community clean up
clean up around your home and garden
decide where you will shelter – if needed, arrange to shelter with friends, family or in a public shelter or strong building
prepare emergency kits for your family
develop an evacuation plan
brush up on first aid skills.
Useful resources:
Wet weather preparedness: qld.gov.au/getready
Cyclone preparedness and safety advice: www.disaster.qld.gov.au
Latest advice and warnings from Bureau of Meteorology: www.bom.gov.au/cyclone
Current road condition information visit www.131940.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.
For emergency assistance call the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
