JANUARY 2024 …. A SES volunteer cleans up after category 2 Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall near Townsville. Photo: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Queensland and New South Wales preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred are in full swing ahead of its expected landfall near Brisbane by early Friday morning.
The Queensland Government says shops, warehouses and transport depots in 21 local government areas (LGAs) will be allowed to operate around the clock temporarily.
The 21 city and regional councils are: Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gladstone, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland City, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie yesterday (March 4) signed off on an emergency planning declaration to allow essential services to restock 24 hours a day; the declaration is due to end on March 19.
“This is a rare event; it’s the first time an emergency declaration has been announced before a natural disaster has hit Queensland,” he says.
This includes shops, health care services, chemists, warehouses, transport depots and hardware businesses.
“By temporarily lifting restrictions, it will enable supermarkets to have more supply hit the shelves faster and empower supermarkets to continue to do all they can to meet the demand,” Bleijie says.
- NewsCop will post another BoM update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred on our Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram pages before 5pm (Queensland time) today.
NSW PREPARATIONS
Extra NSW State Emergency Service (SES) crews have been sent to the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast areas as preparations ramp up.
Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for damaging winds, large surf, and heavy rainfall; low-lying areas may be at risk of coastal erosion.
The government says the NSW SES State Command Centre is pre-positioning communication equipment, aircraft and specialised vehicles including two helicopters, two ‘Cells on Wheels’ (emergency service communication hubs), two high-clearance vehicles, a Wi-Fi connectivity trailer and back-up generators.
Sandbag stations have been established. Residents wanting to know where they are can check NSW SES social media pages or contact 132 500.
The government says the NSW SES is holding community meetings in affected towns to brief residents and say there is no need to panic buy.
Supermarkets have good supply chains and transport links are currently open. If your community becomes isolated and needs resupply of essential goods, NSW SES and other emergency services agencies will assist with this.
Local communities are urged to monitor weather conditions and ensure they have a plan for family and pets if asked to evacuate. Resident should also prepare for possible power blackouts.
Residents can download the ‘Hazards Near Me’ App which will include the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.
People are asked to prepare an emergency kit with essential items including ID documents, medicine, torch, mobile phone charger and battery-operated radio.
For assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
Those who require mental health support can call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service that operates 24-7 and is staffed by specialist mental health professionals.
