With heavy coastal showers expected to occur throughout the Bundaberg region this week, Council is urging residents to remain alert, but not alarmed.
This morning senior members of the Bundaberg Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and District Disaster Management Group (DDMG) met to discuss arrangements should the weather system unexpectedly intensify.
Mayor Cr Mal Forman said while the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) was predicting heavy rainfall over a four day period from today, at this stage it seemed unlikely the rain event would cause flooding within the Burnett River catchment area.
“We realise the emotional trauma of the January 2013 flood event is still fresh for many residents however we’re urging the community to remain calm in light of this rainfall forecast,” Cr Forman said.
“The advice we have received is that the Burnett River, Kolan River and Baffle Creek should not see significant river rises though minimal river rises could occur in some parts.
“The best thing for residents to do is ensure their emergency plans are up-to-date and during wet weather stay tuned to warnings on the radio.”
He said this “good-quality” rain would actually be welcomed by many in the region.
“It is no secret our region is going through a dry spell so I sincerely hope this downpour provides some relief for residents, particularly our drought-declared farmers.”
Council staff and the LDMG will continue to monitor the weather event carefully, in consultation with BOM.
The rain forecast for later this week is a good reminder to “Get Ready” for whatever surprises the weather can send our way. The main steps to take to prepare for disasters are:
Prepare your household emergency plan: know what hazards could affect you, such as flood, cyclone or bushfire and what actions you will take to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones (don’t forget your pets!)
Prepare your household Emergency Kit and Evacuation Kit: make sure you include the items you’ll need to stay safe, including medicines, toiletries, baby food and cash.
Prepare your home: make sure you secure loose items in your yard, trim trees and keep your home well maintained.
Tune into warnings: listen to the radio, log on to trusted websites and watch TV weather reports. Act quickly on the advice provided. If you need to evacuate then do so early to friends/family in safer places.
You can stay updated with the latest weather advice by going to the BOM’s website: www.bom.gov.au.
ENDS