Get ready for rainy months ahead
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Posted on October 12, 2022
Central Highlands Regional Council is urging residents to prepare for rainy months ahead, with the Bureau of Meteorology confirming that a La Niña is underway in the Pacific Ocean for the third year in a row.
‘This week is Get Ready Queensland Week, a call to action for all Queenslanders to prepare their homes and communities,’ Chairman of the Central Highlands Local Disaster Management Group Mayor Kerry Hayes said.
‘While we don’t know exactly where the rain will fall or how this ‘triple-dip’ La Nina will impact our region, it is likely that the next few months are going to be wet. The only thing we can control is what we do now.’
La Niña events increase the chance of above-average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer. Coupled with this is an ongoing Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event, which increases the likelihood of above-average rainfall in winter and spring for much of the continent.
These two weather events last coincided in 2010, and in 1974 before that, both years that saw widespread flooding in Queensland.
‘Experience has proven that communities that are well prepared before a disaster occurs are more resilient and able to recover faster,’ Mayor Hayes said.
‘Behind the scenes, council and local emergency services are ensuring our plans are up to date so that we can effectively monitor and respond to any severe weather events this summer season. But you have a role to play too.’
Mayor Hayes encouraged residents to visit council’s Emergency Management Dashboard, the region’s one-stop-shop for road conditions, emergency news, flood cameras, power outages, fire incidents, useful contacts and weather warnings.
‘While you’re there, sign up to receive opt-in SMS notifications in an emergency, and make sure you save the dashboard to your browser favourites so you can easily access it when needed,’ he said.
Mayor Hayes said residents should also check out the Get Ready Queensland website for helpful information and resources about understanding your risk, preparing your household emergency plan and packing an emergency kit.
‘By being prepared, not only do you help avoid your family being caught out you also help to take the pressure off our emergency services, meaning they can instead focus on saving lives,’ he said.
Get Ready Week runs from 10-16 October 2022.