Issued: 10.30am Friday 9 January
Next update: 10.30am, Saturday 9 January or as the situation changes.
Mareeba Local Disaster Management Group advises people in the Mareeba Shire Local Government Area to STAY INFORMED for severe weather that is approaching.
In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, sand and sandbags, contact SES on 132500, 132500.qld.gov.au, or the SES Assistance Qld app on Android or iOS.
To report disaster related damage to infrastructure, contact Mareeba Shire Council on 1300 308 461 which is available 24/7.
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises a tropical low is approaching the northeast Queensland coast over the next few days.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop during Friday and continue into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 100 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 180 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals 100 to 180 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 250 mm possible.
Damaging winds causing debris like fallen trees, powerlines could come down, and the power could go out. East to Southeasterly winds averaging 55 – 65km/h with wind gusts to 90km/h.
- Separate flood watch and marine warnings are available from the Bureau of Meteorology
What you need to do:
- Find out how to get ready for severe weather at the Get Ready Queensland.
- If living near water ways, preparing your home for risk of surface water inundation.
- Park your car under cover and away from trees, powerlines, and flood risk.
- Secure and store loose outdoor items, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and roofing material.
- Prepare for potential power outages.
- Review your usual transport routes and consider possibility of isolation with low lying bridges and roads.
- Share this information with friends, family, and neighbours.
If you find it hard to move quickly or have special media needs
- Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan now if you have one.
- Make sure you have medication close by and accessible.
- If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now how you will manage / where you will go in case you lose power.
- Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave. Leaving early is safer than waiting.
If you are a tourist, visitor, camper or caravanner:
- Campers and caravanners should ask the campground owners whether your site/grounds flood.
- Check road conditions and plan your route should you need you leave.
- Be ready to move if the situation gets worse.
- Check your surroundings of water catchments and monitor for flash flood.
For more information:
- Access the Mareeba Shire Council Emergency Dashboard here: Dashboard
- Listen to your local radio ABC Far North 801 AM and 106.7 FM for most Mareeba Shire areas, 91.7 FM for Dimbulah and 95.7FM for Mt Molloy
- For power outage information go to Ergon Energy
- Check the latest weather, warnings, rainfall, and river heights at the Bureau of Meteorology
- Check road closures at the QLD Traffic website for phone service call 13 19 40.
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