What to do during a disaster or emergency

In the event of a disaster or emergency, you need to:

• stay calm
• follow your prepared emergency plans
• tune into a local ABC or commercial radio station to stay informed
• follow instructions from authorities promptly.

Here are some handy rules of thumb to use for certain types of emergencies:

• Cyclone/storm tide – run from water – 'Shelter in place' from wind
• Riverine flooding – stay with friends in high places
• Bushfire – if you are going to leave, leave early
• Hazardous material accident – stay upwind or stay inside
• Tsunami – go inland one kilometre or go up ten metres
• Dam release – get out and move to higher ground quickly.

Make sure you remember to:

• never enter flood waters. This means on foot, rubber dingy, body board or in your vehicle

If it’s flooded – forget it. Flood waters include roads, causeways and creeks, etc. - check weather updates and if local roads are closed - check on neighbours and people who may need your assistance - think about the needs of your animals (pets) and where you will take them - check that your drinking water is not contaminated - ensure your food safety.

Visit the Queensland Health website for further information on community health during disasters.

Check or make an emergency kit

• Find out how to get ready for a tropical cyclone and pack an emergency kit at the Get Ready Queensland website (Get Prepared).
• Fill up containers and the bath with clean water for drinking and to flush toilets in case the water supply is cut off.

 Prepare your property

• Fill your car with fuel or charge it. Park it undercover. Do not park under a tree.
• Put away or tie down outside items like furniture, gas bottles, and play equipment.
• If your home is not safe, plan to stay with family or friends.
• If you are near the beach or a coastal waterway, storm surge could cause flooding.  This is dangerous. Decide now where you will evacuate to.
• Close cyclone shutters if you have them, or cover windows with plywood, mattress, or heavy blanket.
• Find out how to safely turn off power, solar, water and gas to your house. Be ready to turn it off if told to.
• Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.

How to report fallen trees and powerlines

• Report fallen trees on Council roads or parks. For urgent and hazardous situations please phone 5475 7272. You can also report via the Sunshine Coast App (free from the App Store or Google Play).
• For trees on main roads (such as Sunshine Motorway, Nicklin Way, Caloundra Rd and the Bruce Highway), contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland) on 131 940.
• If you see fallen power lines, stay clear and call Energex immediately on 131 962.
• Contact Energex if you have lost power on 136 262.
• To subscribe to receive Energex power outage alerts in your area, visit https://www.energex.com.au/

If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs

• Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP) now if you have one.
• Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week. If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now 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.

For more information

• Follow our local council disaster dashboard here https://disaster.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/#Dashboard
• Listen to your local ABC radio 90.3
• For power outage information go to energex.com.au.
• Check the latest weather, warnings, rainfall, and river heights at the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.
• Check road closures at the QLD Traffic website or for phone service call 131 940.
• Check disruptions to public transport at the Translink website.
• To check for school closures: closures.qld.edu.au.
• To report a Council-related urgent matter or emergency, call (07) 5475 7272 or 1300 007 272.

If you require urgent SES assistance please contact SES at 132 500 or log a request for the SES app: https://132500.qld.gov.au/ses-webapp/

Evacuation

Evacuation is the planned movement of people from an unsafe or potentially unsafe location to a safer location. They will be returned once the emergency is passed.

When evacuations are necessary, you will be told through the media or by other warning methods. These include:

• sirens
• telephone calls using the emergency alert system
• an SMS message to your mobile
• a voice message to your landline within a set geographic area.

Types of evacuation

• Self-evacuation: No formal authority required. You can choose to self evacuate at any time if you don’t feel safe. Please let someone know that you are evacuating and where you are going
• Voluntary evacuation: The Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) will implement this in consultation with the District Disaster Coordinator
• Directed evacuation: You are ordered to 'evacuate now' by the District Disaster Coordinator in consultation with the LDMG. At this stage council will advise what evacuation centres will be opened. A disaster will have been 'declared' before directed evacuation occurs.

Local evacuation procedures

Council is working closely with Sunshine Coast communities to produce local evacuation procedures for their areas. This will assist them to respond when emergencies occur that require evacuation.

Note: Local evacuation procedures will be started by the Local Disaster Coordinator (LDC) if the local community need to be moved to a safer location.

National Registration and Enquiry Service - Register.Find.Reunite.

During an emergency, 'Register.Find.Reunite.' registers evacuated people and assists in reconnecting them with concerned family and friends.

Note: Register.Find.Reunite is launched during an active emergency situation only.

To register or enquire after loved ones during an emergency please visit the Register.Find.Reunite. website.