Dear Neighbours,

We’ve been relatively lucky so far to escape the worst effects of Tropical Cyclone (TC) Alfred, while those in the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers take a beating. But we’re not out of the firing line just yet!

TC Alfred continues to track slowly towards the coast, with landfall now predicted to occur over Caboolture around midday on Saturday. The system is currently 115km east south east of Brisbane, moving west south west at 8km/hr.

The system is slowing down which means that we will get more rainfall than if it was moving quicker. The models are predicting that flooding will be worse than 2022. If you know you are at risk of flooding and your home won’t be safe, please consider evacuating before it’s too late.

Emergency+ App

I strongly encourage you to download the Emergency+ App. Emergency+ is a free app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their Government and industry partners.

The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.

Council Flood Maps

Council has updated their projected flooding map which you can access at the Emergency Dashboard. Zoom in or search for your address in the top right corner of the map.

Note: we don’t fully know the scenario that has been modelled here by Council. The 2022 floods exceed the Council forecast, so please treat this map as a general guide.

Importantly, this map does not include overland flow which is likely to be substantial. You can check overland flow on Council’s Flood Awareness Map.

Last resort refuges

At time of writing no additional refuges have been opened. Refuges will go into lockdown when the weather event hits us, exact time tbd. If you need refuge please seek it now, don’t wait until it’s too late. 

The only Council refuge available is RNA Showground which does not have beds, food or catering facilities. 

Kurilpa Hall (174 Boundary St, West End) is a safe space managed by Micah Projects. Priority is supporting rough sleepers, but open to anyone needing refuge. They don’t have beds or hot food, but do have water and some non-perishable food. You can contact them 24/7 on 07 3036 4444 and 3029 7000. 

Emmanuel Mission (48 Peel St, South Brisbane) is another local place of refuge. No beds. Basic essentials like water and some non-perishable food available, tables and chairs. Hot showers are available while water and electricity is on.

All refuges have backup generators to ensure power is maintained. Service animals are accepted but otherwise no pets.

Please note the advice about these refuges is they are a place of last resort and do not have adequate ‘evacuation’ facilities. If you need to leave your home do it now and look for support from friends and family first.

Tips to stay safe during the cyclone

The safest thing to do over the next 48 hours is to stay home. Even if conditions seem calm, they can change rapidly, making travel or being outdoors extremely dangerous. 

Here are some tips as the weather worsens:

• Wear strong covered shoes in case you have to evacuate quickly
• Disconnect electrical appliances including air conditioning and solar panels.
• Listen to your battery radio for updates.
• Stay inside and shelter, well clear of windows, in the strongest part of the building, or small, windowless room like a bathroom, laundry, or pantry.
• You should be sheltering in a small room so avoid using gas burners, generators or candles. Using these items in spaces without ventilation increases the risk of fire and could lead to gas poisoning.
• Keep evacuation and emergency kits with you.
• Keep your windows closed at all times. Opening windows during a cyclone event can cause a pressure imbalance which blows your roof off.
• It will rain horizontally during the cyclone, so expect water to come under the door and places where it usually wouldn’t. Use old towels to plug any gaps.
• If you have to, take cover under a mattress, heavy table, or sturdy furniture for extra protection. 
• Stay indoors and avoid going outside for last-minute preparations, photos, or videos. Flying debris, falling branches, and sudden wind gusts can be extremely dangerous. Even a brief step outside puts you at risk, and emergency services may not be able to assist if conditions worsen. 
• Beware the calm 'eye'. If the wind drops, don't assume the cyclone is over; violent winds will soon resume from another direction. Wait for the official 'all clear'.
• If driving, stop (handbrake on and in gear) — but well away from the sea and clear of trees, power lines and streams. Stay in the vehicle.
• Expect the storm to be very loud. Get noise-cancelling headphones for kids if you can. 
• For non-life threatening emergencies – such as a tree on your roof, or water running through your house – call the SES on 132 500 or register on the SES Assistance app (if you’re in Queensland). They will not come during the event itself but will come later. 
• If it’s a life-threatening emergency, always call triple zero (000).

Translations

I’ve been working with my Greens colleagues to have inner city specific emergency advice translated into Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. Get Ready also has more general advice available in 35 languages but not about specific cyclone warnings.

Non-life-threatening health advice

To seek advice or assistance in Queensland call 13 Health (13 43 25 84), otherwise call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If you need urgent help, call triple zero (000).

Bins and waste collection

Bin collection has been cancelled until further notice and many properties still have their bins outside.

High winds can turn wheelie bins into projectiles.

If you can, please put wheelie bins somewhere secure. You might also want to tape down the lids to avoid spillage. If bins are empty, half fill them with water to prevent them blowing away.

Remember if it’s flooded, forget it

Please do not drive in floodwaters.

River and creek flooding will be heavily influenced by high tides. If you are near a creek or the river, please keep these peak high tide times in mind:

• Saturday 8/3 - 4:45am
• Sunday 9/3 - 6:02am
• Monday 10/3 - 7:04am
• Tuesday 11/3 - 7:53am

Disaster payments

A lot of casual workers and contractors will be struggling over the next couple of weeks as a result of retail, hospitality and other front line facility closures.

Max Chandler-Mather and our federal Greens colleagues and advocating for the Federal Government to make sure disaster relief payments are available to as many people as need it and are enough to cover lost wages and household impacts.

Stay tuned for more. 

Council field staff stood down

All Council field staff have been stood down in preparation for the cyclone making landfall. This means it’s unlikely that any outstanding cases or issues will be addressed in the immediate future. My office is continuing to push for a couple of key safety issues to be addressed but it is unlikely we will see results.

Council’s Call Centre will continue to operate 24/7 and can be reached via 3403 8888.

Public Transport Update

All public transport will remain cancelled on Saturday. We do not know when services will resume at this stage.

In hope,
Trina