Get Ready Scenic Rim: Talk to your neighbours and make an emergency plan
During Get Ready Queensland Week (10-16 October), Scenic Rim Regional Council is urging residents to talk with their neighbours and start preparing their homes and businesses for the upcoming severe weather season.
Queensland is the most disaster impacted state in Australia, with almost 90 disaster events in the past decade, and in the Scenic Rim there is potential to be impacted by severe storms, flash flooding and bushfires.
Local Disaster Management Group Chair and Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said in recent years residents have witnessed first-hand a number of natural disasters including bushfires and flooding, and some are still recovering from the devastating consequences of the Black Summer Bushfires in 2019 and ex-severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
"We all need to be prepared for potential severe weather this summer and we're asking everyone to take out or download Council's 'IF A DISASTER STRUCK, Would you be ready?' booklet and fill out the Emergency Checklist.
"The Emergency Checklist was part of Council's disaster preparedness package that was delivered via a region-wide letterbox drop to Scenic Rim households in July and is available to download from Council's website.
The package included a handy fridge magnet and the 'IF A DISASTER STRUCK, Would you be ready?' booklet with tailored information about potential hazards that can occur in our region, the importance of getting ready early, what to do when disaster strikes, and important steps to follow before and after a natural disaster.
"Over the past 12 months Queensland had the highest annual population growth rate (1.6%) of any Australian state and territory, and the Scenic Rim welcomed many new residents and this will be their first Queensland summer.
"The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted wetter than average conditions this year, so if you have new neighbours, it's so important to reach out and talk to them about which roads are impacted by flash flooding and together plan an alternative route in case you need to evacuate.
"When it comes to extreme weather events, it's not a case of 'if', but a case of 'when' so for Get Ready Week 2021 we are asking you to do three things; know your risk, make an emergency plan and pack an emergency kit," Cr Christensen said.
Step one: Know your risk
- Talk to your neighbours and people in your community to see if there is a history of disasters in your area.
- Find out more about disaster preparedness on Council's website www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/disaster-management
- Once you know the risks in your area, you can take steps to find out how best to protect your property, possessions, business and family.
Step two: Make an emergency plan
- The best way to ensure everyone knows what to do and where to go in an emergency is by keeping a Household Emergency Checklist.
- Sit down with your family and make a list of important contacts like family and friends who live out of town, doctors, insurance providers, utility providers, emergency meeting places and details on where you'd stay if you needed to evacuate quickly.
- You can download a Household Emergency Checklist from Council's website www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/disaster-management.
Step three: Pack an emergency kit
- An emergency kit should have the necessary items your family needs incase you need to leave your home for an extended period of time.
- It should include items like a first aid kit, essential toiletries, enough food and water for three days, a can opener, important documents, phone and portable charger, antibacterial wipes, torch, batteries, spare clothes and cash.
In the event of a disaster, tune in to local radio station and use the Scenic Rim Regional Council Disaster Dashboard website to stay up-to-date with weather warnings, alerts, road conditions and emergency updates at www.disasterdashboard.scenicrim.qld.gov.au