The assistance of the Whitsunday Disaster Coordination Centre is acknowledged in the preparation of this Emergency Action Guide.
GENERAL
THINK SAFETY FIRST AND DON'T TAKE CHANCES!
Whitsunday Disaster Coordination Centre co-ordinates all services during disasters.
- The counter disaster centre is activated and staffed by Council and emergency response agencies during and following the impact of a natural disaster (i.e. Cyclone, Flood)
- The function of the centre is to coordinate relief and emergency operations as a result of the impact of a natural disaster
- Call the disaster centre on 4945 0290 for assistance
- Only in a life threatening emergency situation should the 000 number be used
- The use of the counter disaster line will ensure the 000 lines are available for the correct purpose.
Communications
All residents should know where their Whitsunday Region Telephone & Business Guide is kept. During emergencies, heed radio warnings and advice. The following radio stations will be briefed regularly:
| ABC, Tropical North (Proserpine) |
FM 101.1 |
| ABC, Tropical North (Wsy) |
FM 89.9 |
| 4MK Mackay (Proserpine) |
FM 101.9 |
| 4MK Mackay(Wsy) |
FM 91.5 |
| 4TO Townsville - Bowen |
FM 102.3 |
| 4TO (Collinsville alternative) |
AM 77 |
| GEM FM (Bowen) |
FM 95.1 |
| Hot FM Mackay (Proserpine) |
FM 100.3 |
| Hot FM Mackay(Wsy) |
FM 94.7 |
| Sea FM (Proserpine) |
FM 98.7 |
| Sea FM (Wsy) |
FM 92.3 |
Normal radio/telephone communications may be disrupted during a disaster, so have a working transistor radio with a fresh supply of batteries in your home; make sure all family members know where it is. During an emergency, keep mobile phones switched off to save batteries.
Maintenance
Well before cyclone season clean gutters, check roof for problems and complete repairs. Fell or remove problem trees, coconuts and poinciana pods. SES will not respond to problems caused by poor maintenance.
Insurance
Have building & contents insurance in order before the wet season. New property owners should check with their Solicitor about legal liability for properties under contract. Legal owners should clean their buildings, construction sites etc of loose/flammable objects. Failure to do so may lead to civil action.
Return of Children from School
Parents are responsible for phoning schools to see if children are to be discharged early and for arranging safe transport home (for phone numbers see Children's Services page 4). In the event of flooding, children returning home on school buses will be dropped as close as possible to regular stops. Ensure children have an emergency routine, such as phoning you at work, if arriving home early.
Vehicles
Ensure vehicles are mechanically sound and fuelled before any emergency. If you don't own a reliable vehicle, make arrangements NOW to share transport with someone else if necessary.
Pleasure Craft
- General: Charge batteries, close hatches, remove or firmly tie down gas bottles, scuba cylinders and other loose objects.
- Marinas: Secure vessel with extra ropes to the wharf as floating marina arms may disengage from pylons.
- Swing Moorings and Pleasure Craft at Sea: Check moorings before wet season. Move exposed vessels to a safer area (see David Colfelt's 100 Magic Miles) but allow time for your own safe return. Follow Water Police/VMR directions.
Supplies
Supermarkets carry only stock for normal demand; keep a store of emergency needs throughout the wet season. Regularly check expiry dates of items such as long-life milk.
Welfare Centres
Following the event, the community will be advised of the location of welfare centres on the local radio stations, especially ABC Tropical North 101.1 (Proserpine) and 89.9 (Airlie Beach), Townsville - Bowen FM 102.3 Whitsunday Regional Council does NOT provide safe refuges during cyclones. If unsure about the soundness of your dwelling, arrange to stay with a neighbour or friend. Otherwise, residents in emergency circumstances should evacuate only when advised by emergency services. Welfare Centres will open after a cyclone but only for those whose homes are uninhabitable. In the event of an evacuation for disasters other than cyclones and storm surges:
- Once an evacuation order has been issued, police and emergency services have the power to remove you to safety.
- Familiarise yourself with the route to the Welfare Centre for your area. Centres used will depend on the particular emergency situation.Centres will be manned by SES or welfare personnel.
- Pack your evacuation kit, of only basic requirements:
- clothes
- drinking water
- tinned food
- first aid kit (see last page)
- necessary personal medicines
- emergency lighting
- documents and valuables (if not in the bank)
- Ample time will be given for all residents to evacuate as necessary. When told to evacuate:
- stay calm but act quickly
- dress appropriately including sturdy shoes (no thongs)
- turn off electricity at the fuse box and gas at the bottle
- collect your emergency evacuation kit
- load your car quickly
- lock your house
- listen to your radio; don't ignore warnings or advice
- household pets can be taken with you but don't forget their food, water and any items needed to control them
- drive to the nearest Welfare Centre; report to the Manager
- If you decide to self-evacuate before being asked:
- phone the Counter Disaster Control Room, identify yourself and tell them where you are going
- don't travel long distances; vehicles can be stranded for days
- Don't go home until advised; use only the recommended route.
CYCLONES
Wind Destructive winds can be localised or widespread and may rapidly strengthen. Note the reported distance of destructive winds from the cyclone's central coordinates but be aware that a cyclone's path and speed can change without warning. Forecast models can be wrong. Damage will also vary according to local conditions exposure, and the soundness of individual structures.
| Cat. |
Wind Speed |
Damage Type |
| 1 |
<125 kph |
Some damage to crops & foliage |
| 2 |
125-170 kph |
Minor house damage; significant damage to caravans/signs/crops |
| 3 |
170-225 kph |
Some roof/structural damage |
| 4 |
225-280 kph |
Significant roof/structural damage; power failures likely |
| 5 |
> 280 kph |
Widespread destruction; extremely dangerous |
Storm Surge and Flood
Sea water and tidal creeks are subject to major increase in tide levels during and/or after a cyclone; normally shallow coastal waters can rise 5 metres or more above normal high tide levels. High wave action can also cause massive destruction and flooding on coastal lowlands. Water run-off from hills may cause creeks to flood and new waterways to form. Inundation maps are available from Council Office and Libraries. Check your residence's exposure.
CYCLONE WATCHES
The area may experience gales or stronger winds in 1-2 days.
IF TOLD TO TAKE SHELTER, DO SO IMMEDIATELY.
Step 1 (about 24 hours away)
- Prepare for an extended power failure:
- batteries for a transistor radio and torch(es)
- freeze water in containers to prevent food spoiling
- fill kerosene or gas lamps
- candles and matches
- check portable cooking gear and fuel supply
- Pack long shelf life food, essential medicines and first aid kit to last the family 3 days. Include small pastimes for children.
- Pack warm clothes into large plastic bags, mattresses, blankets and pillows; check there are enough helmets for each family member. Be prepared to strap yourself and those in your care to a sturdy fixture if necessary.
- Place personal documents (e.g. birth/marriage certificates, insurance papers, passports, wills etc) and valuables in a waterproof bag in your suitcase.
- Store enough drinking water for 3 days (20 L per person).
- Clean house and yards of loose objects, pot, outdoor furniture etc.
- Tie down caravans and boats; if living in one, leave it for more substantial shelter after securing it.
- Fill car with fuel and park in a safe, accessible place with handbrake engaged.
- Check on elderly or disabled neighbours.
- Plan a route to higher ground in the event of flooding.
Step 2 (about 16 hours away)
- Ensure children and pets stay indoors; never let children swim in flooded creeks, dams, water holes or open drains.
- Repair any new loose roofing or unsound parts of the house.
- Board windows if possible, tape if not; lock doors.
- Gather tools, ropes and tarpaulins for emergency repairs. In rural areas ensure your chain saw and tractor have fuel.
- Pack portable bedding in waterproof bags.
- Inspect trees again for weakness; trim or fell if necessary. Particularly common but dangeous in high winds are acacias, poincianas and their pods and coconuts.
Step 3 (about 8 hours away)
- Prepare the strongest part of the house for shelter (usually the bathroom or a block room under a high-set); put mattresses and blankets underneath strong tables; set up emergency radio, lighting, stores, clothes, protective gear and strapping.
- If leaving your dwelling, go now to your pre- arranged destination and tell others where you are; don't wait until the last minute when being outside could be dangerous (see also Cyclone Warnings, step 1, point 1 following).
CYCLONE WARNINGS
A cyclone warning means the area is threatened with cyclonic winds within 24 hours. KEEP CALM AND STAY INDOORS.
Step 1 (about 6 hours away and during cyclone)
- Turn off power at the fuse box, unplug power cords/TV antenna, turn off gas at bottle, lock pets inside.
- Go to your prepared strongest part of the house, away from windows.
- During the calm ‘eye' of the storm, don't begin moving around until officially advised to do so.
- Don't eat or drink anything you suspect is contaminated. Boil water for at least 3 minutes if necessary for drinking.
- Don't phone the Whitsunday Counter Disaster Committee except for serious medical emergency or major house damage.
- Keep the phone for essential calls only and be brief.
AFTER THE CYCLONE HAS PASSED
- Stay indoors to allow emergency services full access to your area - do not go sightseeing or try to drive through waterways
- Stay away from fallen power lines especially near wet or flooded land; do not touch wet switches.
- If house power or gas lines may have been damaged, don't turn services back on until they have been checked by authorities.
CHEMICAL SPILLS OR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
If you Come Across a Hazardous Material Accident/Spill
- Beware! Approach could result in hazardous exposure.
- Stay upwind on high ground; don't touch or inhale material.
- Call 000.
If a Hazardous Material Accident/SpIll Occurs in Your Area
- Stay indoors.
- Close doors and windows. Atmospheric pollution can be reduced by placing wet towels along the bottom of doors.
- Listen to the radio for further advice.
- Turn off power.
Use & Storage of Chemicals
- Read, understand & follow precisely the product label instructions and Material Safety Data Sheet
- Particularly avoid personal contact and vapour inhalation.
- Workplaces must follow Workplace, Health & Safety Regulations.
FIRST AID
Have your household First Aid Kit always available. Periodically review contents, replace used or expired items. Take with you when sheltering from a cyclone and to the Welfare Centre if asked to evacuate. Do a first aid certificate course as qualified medical attention may be delayed in an emergency. Kits are available from local chemists and first aid suppliers; see ‘Chemists' and ‘First Aid' in Business Guide.
SAFE SWIMMING, SNORKELLING AND DIVING
Many types of marine stingers exist in tropical and subtropical waters of the world. The Whitsundays region is no different. A range of venomous types including dangerous and non-dangerous jellyfish, stonefish, stingrays, blue ring octopus, fire corals, sea snakes, and others occur in our waters, and may be present onshore and offshore any time of year. While the likelihood of encountering any of these creatures is very low, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk of any injury.
Stinger Facts -
Irukandjis and Box Jellyfish
- You can get stung at the reef or islands, as well as inshore
- Difference species of Irukandjis occur onshore and offshore
- Stings have been reported all months of the year
- Irukandji syndrome affects all people who are stung
- Accurate medical records since 1943 indicate that Irukandjis have been around a long time
- We do not know where Irukandjis breed, but it does not appear that they breed in the rivers
- Vinegar kills invisible stinging cells, stopping more sting
- Hairy people and animals can still get stung
- Summer is not the only risk time for jellyfish stings
SUNBURN
Sunburn is a common injury when in or near water, particularly while snorkelling. Wear a shirt, 30+ sunscreen, a hat and UV protective sunglasses.
GENERAL MARINE SAFETY IN THE WHITSUNDAYS
- Wear protective clothing
- A full-length lycra suit offers environmentally safe sun protection (no harmful chemicals leaching into the water, as with sunscreen), and provides excellent prevention of jellyfish stings by reducing the amount of exposed skin by more than 75%; most cruise opera- tors offer reasonable daily stinger suit hire
- Carry vinegar to apply to stings when you go swimming, boating or cast-netting. Some beaches provide vinegar
- Don't swim alone
- Make sure someone knows where you are and when you expect to be home
- Have access to help
- Carry mobile phone or VHF radio
- If in doubt of a sting, treat it as Irukandji
- Saturate stings with vinegar, even minor stings
- Don't go back in the water until you're sure you are not ill (Irukandji syndrome typically takes 45 minutes to develop)
- If in doubt or distress, seek medical help ASAP
If stung...
- Seek help - dial "000" (or "112" from a mobile or VHF 16)
- Treat the person: emergency care (start CPR if necessary)
- Treat the sting: dose with vinegar as soon as possible
- DO NOT RUB – DO NOT APPLY FRESH WATER
- Seek medical aid
