North Queensland cyclone season: Townsville HHS, Ergon, BOM issue warnings

North Queenslanders are being warned to prioritise “health preparedness” with forecasts of a potentially severe tropical cyclone season.

A sunken yacht after Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall near Townsville in January this year. Picture: Ian Hitchcock-Getty Images

North Queenslanders are being warned to prioritise “health preparedness” amid forecasts of a potentially severe tropical cyclone season.

The Bureau of Meteorology says forecasts of warmer than average ocean temperatures means that although the cyclone season was expected to be similar to the long-term average, the chances of severe storms will be higher.

Townsville HHS public health director Steven Donohue warned residents to begin preparing medications and first-aid kits ahead of the start of the cyclone season on Friday.

“Cyclone season in north Queensland can bring unpredictable weather and potential disruptions to healthcare access and it is important everyone is as prepared as possible for a disaster.”

With the start of the official cyclone season just around the corner, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) has urged everyone to make health and well-being preparedness one of their top priorities. Public health director Dr Steven Donohue said now was the time to start getting your medications and first-aid kits ready. Picture: Supplied

Dr Donohue said being proactive could help save lives.

“If you are using any specific medication then it is crucial you have an adequate supply of it and scripts are readily available,” he said.

“Contact your GP to arrange refills and avoid any gaps in your treatment.”

Damage after Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall near Townsville in January this year. Picture: Ian Hitchcock-Getty Images

Dr Donohue said it was imperative that a disaster kit included a well-stocked first-aid kit that included spare essential medications, bandages and antiseptic solutions.

“Cyclones have the potential to cause flooding and it is important vulnerable people stay out of contaminated water and mud,” he said.

“By taking some simple steps now people are not only prioritising their own health but also contributing to the overall community resilience.”

He said it was also important that people had a mental-health plan.

“Natural disasters like cyclones can be stressful events and it’s vital people have a plan in place on how to manage anxiety and connect with mental health supports if needed.”

Damage after Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall near Townsville in January this year. Picture: Ian Hitchcock-Getty Images

THHS has been ramping up preparations for the upcoming cyclone season.

Chief executive Kieran Keyes said it was vital that its hospital remained operational during a disaster.

“Throughout the year the HHS has been working across its 21 facilities to ensure they are as prepared as possible for a significant event.”

He said Townsville University Hospital had six generators ready to supply power to the facility.

“We are also able to double our food storage and significantly increase our medical supplies with little notice and we have been involved in training with the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group to further hone our skills,” he said.

“Having our hospital and health services operational during a disaster is critical and every year we go through a strict process to ensure we are ready for the next significant event that could impact our region.”

Australian tropical cyclone season long-range forecast

• Tropical cyclone numbers likely to be close to average for Australia in 2024–25

• The 2024–25 Australian tropical cyclone season is expected to be like the long-term average, in which 11 tropical cyclones form in the Australian region, 4 of which cross the Australian coast

• The likelihood of severe (strong) tropical cyclones is higher than average, because of the warmer than average ocean temperatures forecast for the Australian region in the coming months

• Under the prevailing neutral climatic conditions, the first tropical cyclone to cross the Australian coast typically occurs in late December

• Tropical cyclone formation is rarely evenly spread throughout the season; quiet periods are often followed by bursts of activity

• Cyclones are not the only weather hazard in the Australian tropics; Tropical lows can also cause damaging winds, widespread rainfall and dangerous flooding

• Storm surge, including from cyclones that don’t make landfall, is a major hazard to coastal communities. These impacts can extend beyond the tropics into southern parts of Australia.

• Due to rising sea levels, the risk of storm surge from tropical cyclones is likely to continue to increase

Damage after Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall near Townsville in January this year. Picture: Ian Hitchcock-Getty Images

Ergon Energy reminded North Queenslanders to “ensure they have a Plan B for outages.

“Last summer, natural disasters left many communities without power for prolonged periods, as cyclones Kirrily and Jasper … caused widespread damage to the grid,” a spokesperson said.

“More than 300,000 homes and businesses were affected, with outages lasting more than two weeks in some areas.”

For more information on preparing yourself and your home for a disaster go to getready.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as North Queensland cyclone season: Townsville HHS, Ergon, BOM issue warnings