Be Prepared
To lessen the impact of an event or disaster for you and your family, it is important to be prepared by knowing what types of events may affect you, knowing your surroundings, neighbours and what services are within the community, planning and taking some simple steps to ensure you are prepared and knowing how and where to get information about emerging disaster situation.
View the Disaster Dashboard
The Get Ready Queensland Website has fact sheets with simple tips and check lists on how to prepare your household step by step.
What events might affect you?
Flooding
- Pack supplies
- Make sure your home and contents insurance covers flooding
- Protect your vehicle, caravan and boat
- Regular home maintenance
- Pay attention to weather warnings
Bush Fires
- Have a bush fire plan in place.
- Reduction of burns on properties is the landholders' responsibility.
- In Queensland, it is illegal to light a fire in the open without a permit and tough penalties apply including on the spot fines and prosecution. Contact Rural Fire Services Queensland Office for information on obtaining a permit.
Storm Season
- Prepare your home: secure loose items, clean gutters and downpipes, trim trees and over hanging branches.
- Ensure you have adequate house and contents insurance.
- Prepare your pets.
- Check on your neighbours.
Heatwave
- Have regular health checks to monitor well being or any existing conditions.
- Drink plenty of water and stay cool.
- The elderly or small children are particularly susceptible to the affects of a heatwave.
- Monitor your neighbours and pets.
Preparing your home
Home Maintenance
- Keep your roof in good condition and check it regularly.
- Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water can drain away quickly.
- Trim trees and overhanging branches close to the house. Be aware of any overhead power lines.
- Check and fix any corrosion, rotten timber, termite infestations, and loose fittings.
Home Preparations
- Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is current and ample. Check your policy includes debris clean up and removal.
- Identify your strongest room to 'shelter in place' during severe storm or cyclone.
- Identify where and how to turn off the main supply for water, power and gas.
- Have items on hand such as water storage containers, spare fuel for your vehicle, camp stove and fuel for cooking without power.
Living in a flood-prone area
- Store all poisons and garden chemicals well above ground level.
- Identify indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flood threatens.
- Consider alternatives to carpet.
- Relocate power-points to well above previous flood levels. Use a licensed contractor to do this.
How to stay informed
- The Western Downs Disaster Dashboard provides all the latest information on current disasters including emergency news along with road closure notifications. View the Disaster Dashboard.
- Local radio and TV stations have warnings, updates and community safety announcements.
- You may receive emergency alert voice messages to your landline and/or text messages to your mobile telephone.
- Emergency services personnel may door-knock your local area to pass on warnings.
- Bureau of Meteorology for weather warnings.
- Queensland Disaster Management website for information on disaster events.
- Council’s website for local emergency information including details of evacuation centres and road closures.
- Like Council’s Facebook page for updates
Road Closures
Local Road Closures
The Western Downs Disaster Dashboard provides all the latest information on current disasters including emergency news along with road closure notifications.
Queensland Road Closures
131 940 aims to be a one stop shop for traveler in Queensland where they can find accurate and up-to-date information on road closures. To view road closures Queensland-wide, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.