Sunshine Coast floods: Mayor defends emergency alert texts

Mayor Mark Jamieson has defended the timing of alerts that were sent to Sunshine Coast residents to inform them of a flood watch hours after the catastrophic weather hit.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson has defended the timing of an emergency text message alert which warned residents of flooding hours after the catastrophic event began.

Residents across the region on Wednesday, February 23 woke up to an early text message that warned a flood watch had been issued.

The warning advised residents that flash flooding was occurring and that roads and bridges were impacted and urged residents to stay off the road.

However, the warning came several hours after the intense weather event began on Tuesday night.

Mr Jamieson said the alert works by people registering their mobile phone in the system to be advised of an emergency unfolding.

The mayor was asked how the emergency text works and why it was issued on Wednesday morning and not earlier.

“I got one on the Friday evening to say water was rising in the Mooloolah system and likely to threaten areas like Kawana Forest and Creekside, so those people were advised to stay in their homes, not to leave as it was considered safer to stay at homes rather than getting into cars,” Mr Jamieson said.

“If you have signed up to be kept informed you would get the text.

“Obviously we don’t have everyone’s contact details, so sometimes you might be at the periphery of where the dangers are considered to be.”

Mayor Mark Jamieson has defended the timing of the flood emergency text alerts. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Jamieson’s comments come days after the council was sent a list of questions as to why the text alerts were not sent on Tuesday night when the weather kicked off.

The council was asked when it requested the disaster management group to sound the alarm for the flooding event and whether it was acceptable to send it when it did.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said the council’s focus during wet weather events was to assist the community and work alongside key agencies like emergency services.

“Council has a local disaster group which is a legislative requirement,” the response said.

“That group determines the timing of such alerts on the basis of advice, consultation and co-operation of a host of agencies.”

It comes after the Premier also defended authorities against community anger that they weren’t warned soon enough of the unfolding flooding disaster across southeast Queensland.

Annastacia Palaszczuk said people were always given the most up-to-date warnings, but the weather event continued to defy forecasts.