‘We can do better’: CairnsAlert messaging needs review
An independent review into the Cairns Alert emergency message service needs to be done post-recovery after the region was hit with record floods from Cyclone Jasper, a Cairns Regional councillor has said.
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An independent review into the Cairns Alert emergency message service needs to be done post-recovery, a Cairns Regional councillor has said.
Residents of Holloways Beach said they received alerts too late on Sunday when the unprecedented deluge hit after Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The alerts are managed by the Cairns Disaster Group, of which Mayor Terry James is chair, and he has said the group relied on Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) information.
Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden said BOM showed there would be massive rain on Sunday and no warnings were delivered.
A flood watch and act message was issued on Sunday December 17 at 7.29am affecting Caravonica, Lake Placid and Kamerunga.
A major flood warning was later issued at 9.15am but it was not specific as to which areas were at risk.
Flooding occurred early Sunday morning.
“An informed community is an empowered community and I am not sure we got it right. We can always do better,” she Eden said.
“An independent review is the critical part.
“That is how we truly learn, sometimes if we are self-assessing, we can’t see everything that is there.”
Division 3 Councillor Cathy Zeiger said there were three strong alerts on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, when the cyclone crossed the coast, but she felt that was “over the top”.
On Tuesday red zone residents were told to “leave immediately” at 3.25pm.
It was updated later at 5.20pm saying “people should consider leaving now or moving to a safer place or higher ground”.
“This is a voluntary evacuation advice as may be impacted when the cyclone crosses,” it said.
On Thursday at 6.29am another message was sent, “threat is reduced”.
Ms Zeiger said they were more suited to a category 5 cyclone.
Cyclone Jasper, which made landfall around 5pm near Wujal Wujal, was category 2.
“They were saying get in the strong room, there were three of them (saying take shelter), and I thought that was a bit over the top,” Cr Zeiger said.
“It’s important that the message matches the situation, it makes people complacent, should we get a category 5 where we probably do need to get in the bathroom.
“Having no power and not being able to charge a phone would cause extreme anxiety too.”
Ms Zeiger said she had talks with council management on improving communication with councillors, including them on group links.
“We need a little bit more than alerts,” she said.
It is possible that because of patchy phone signals, not all residents signed up for the alerts received all alerts.
Division 8 Cr Brett Olds said the flood disaster, with inundation from early on Sunday December 17, had exposed inefficiencies.
“From the alarmist language used initially, to the lateness of messaging when there actually was a critical event,” Mr Olds said.
“These warnings need to be more timely, factual in content and delicate with the language used, as there is never a good reason to potentially create further panic in an already stressful event.”
He said better and more relevant information such as emergency accommodation, times to expect tidal surges and wind warnings was warranted.
“I believe we can do better in this space,” Cr Olds said.
Cairns Regional Council was asked for a list of text and email alerts that went out from December 13.
This author received the following email and text alerts, with texts coming from CairnsAlert but also 444 444 444.
EMAILS:
Sunday 9.25am – major flood warning, take shelter, now move to higher ground
Monday – 3pm – Leave immediately in red zone and orange zone prepare for flooding
Tuesday noon – Prepare for isolation
Tuesday 3pm – Red zone properties evacuate
Tuesday 4.30pm – Red zone advice, storm surge
Wednesday 1.35pm – Take shelter now
Wednesday 1.45pm 1- Take shelter now
Thursday 6.20am – Threat is reduced, stay informed for flooding
Saturday 4.30pm – Flood threat reduced, flooding is easing throughout the Cairns region – this is the final flooding advice in relation to ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper
Sunday 6.30am – Caravonica, Lake Placid, Kamerunga move to higher ground
Sunday 9am – Take shelter now, emergency warning, flood, people in Barron catchment and Machans Beach at particular risk
Sunday 12.40pm – Leave Bluewater Estate immediately
Monday 7.15pm – Monitor conditions, watch and act – flooding
It is not clear if these Cairns Local Disaster Management Group were sent to everyone signed up for alerts or only media organisations.
TEXTS:
Sunday December 10 – prepare for possible storm surge
Monday 12.35pm – prepare for isolation
Tuesday 9.55am – Prepare to leave red and orange zone
Tuesday 3.21pm – Leave immediately red zone properties
Tuesday 5.16pm – Red zone voluntary evacuation advice
Thursday 6.45am – Threat is reduced
Sunday 6.30am – Residents in Lake placid, Caravonica, Kamerunga move to higher ground
Sunday 7.26am – Flood watch and act Barron River affecting Caravonica, Lake Placid and Kamerunga, major flooding expected
Sunday 9.11am – EMERGENCY EMERGENCY – There is major flooding in the Barron catchment now
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