Queensland cyclone: What to do when Cyclone Debbie hits
CATEGORY 4 Cyclone Debbie is forecast to hit the coastline at 11am on Tuesday. Here’s a list of emergency contact details and tips you may need during and after the storm.
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CATEGORY 4 Cyclone Debbie is forecast to hit the coastline at 11am on Tuesday. We’ve compiled a list of emergency contact details and tips you may need during and after the storm.
Emergency contact
For storm and flood assistance contact the SES on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call triple-0.
Cyclone shelters and places of refuge
Bowen High School, 129 Argyle Park Dr, Bowen [Closed until after cyclone has passed
Proserpine State School, Cr Florence and Sperry St, Proserpine [Closed until cyclone has passed]
Ayr Showgrounds, 9-21 Edwards St, Ayr
Heatley Secondary College, Fulham Rd, Townsville
Townsville City Council, 143 Walker Street (basement car park)
Suncorp Building, 61-73 Sturt Street, Townsville City
Energy
If you lose power and are looking for specific information about your address you can go to the Ergon website and type in your 10 or 11 digit NMI (which can be found on your bill). Otherwise, the normal Outage Finder is accessible.
Radio
Cairns and Far North Queensland: 106.7FM
Townsville and North Queensland: 630AM
Mackay and Central Queensland: 101.1FM
Around 150 specialist fire and rescue crews are in position to assist North Queenslanders in the aftermath of cyclone Debbie this afternoon.
QFES Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche said that crews, including swift water rescue had been sent north from Brisbane in order to help residents around the Bowen area as they deal with a strong storm surge.
“We’ve got all of our crews that are rostered on or living in those areas working but we’ve also brought in about 150 extra people with specialist skills, so fire and rescue swift water rescue,” he said.
“These experts will provide support to the community, generally in the aftermath, but we have been working in the lead up also.”
Mr Roche said that while the cyclone had slowed down in its speed towards the coast, it did not mean residents could become complacent.
“The last report that I saw it was travelling about 10kmh and it is still heading towards land between Ayr and Midge Point, so far it is tracking over the Bowen area and we have all of our crews bunkered down in locations spread across where we believe the impact will be,” he said.
TASKS TO DO WHEN THE STORM HITS
- Make note of when you lose power so that you can gauge how long the food in the fridge will last.
- It is advised to switch off all appliances as a precaution.
- IMPORTANT: If using a generator later on, it MUST be run ONLY in a well-ventilated area as it will emit Carbon Monoxide, which is deadly in an enclosed area.
- Shelter in the strongest part of the house.
- Keep listening to local radio for updates and remain indoors until advised.
- If the building begins to break apart, immediately seek shelter under a strong table, bench, or under a heavy mattress.
- Beware of the calm eye of the cyclone. Do not venture outdoors until you have received official advice that it is safe to go outside.
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