As Queensland prepares for uncertain weather residents in the Bundaberg Region are advised to remember the importance of being prepared.
The Bureau of Meteorology, on Wednesday 24 January, issued advice stating the tropical low was developing slowly in the central Coral Sea and was expected to become a tropical cyclone, Cyclone Kirrily, into the night as it tracked west southwest towards the Queensland coast.
Bundaberg Mayor and Local Disaster Management Chair Jack Dempsey and Bundaberg Police Chief Inspector Grant Marcus are emphasising to the local community to remember the importance of being prepared for any uncertain weather.
Mayor Dempsey said the community should keep up to date with the latest information, which could be found on a number of places including Council’s Disaster Dashboard, the Bureau of Meteorology website and local radio.
“Council’s Disaster Dashboard has up-to-date and relevant information to help guide the community in times of emergency,” he said.
“This includes everything from road closures, through to the newly added cyclone track map which is updated with the latest predictions of where a cyclone could potentially move.”
He said precautionary measures would allow the community to be prepared for any unlikely weather events.
“As we now move to an alert phase, it means we are able to put in place precautionary measures and to make sure that we have all of the services and resources at hand,” he said.
“We all know we're coming to a fantastic Australia Day long weekend, and we want to make sure that we have as much information and communications in place with all key stakeholders, state, local community groups to make sure that we can ease those concerns so people can enjoy the Australia Day long weekend.”
Chief Inspector Marcus said moving into an alert level meant the local disaster groups would monitor the current weather event.
He said at this time the Bundaberg Region could expect some rain and he said there were some suggestions of potential severe storms coming through over the next few days, which could lead to flash flooding.
The community is reminded if the roads are flooded, to forget it.
“Please do not drive through flooded roads,” he said.
“Flash flooding means the water goes up quickly. It comes down quickly. Just be patient and wait.
“We'll continue to monitor the weather to see what that does over the next three to four days, particularly over the long weekend.
“If we have concerns that the weather is changing, into a more serious level, we will look at what actions we need to take, to ensure that the community is safe.”
To find out all the latest information about current weather head to the Disaster Dashboard here.
- Other news: Arty autumn in store for region’s art lovers
