We can't predict what the next summer holds, but global warming means there is higher risk of extreme weather events. We must be properly prepared and know how to support vulnerable community members nearby. I’m urging local residents to spend some time thinking about extreme weather events.
This information helps you, your family and your neighbourhood prepare for natural disasters and emergencies — and if you’d like to help out more, join our emergency response team.
How you can prepare
1. Stay updated
- The Bureau of Meteorology has an app for smartphones - use this guide to sign up for phone notifications and you can also check their website for current alerts
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has a feed of all bushfires and warnings across Queensland on their website
- Brisbane City Council has SMS and landline alerts to notify you of storms or severe weather at up to three addresses
- ABC Radio Brisbane is the emergency radio station for our area and has the most up-to-date information in a crisis. You can listen via the ABC Listen app and it’s good to have a battery-powered radio in your emergency kit
- Sign up for Brisbane's Severe Weather Alert
- Stay up to date via the Get Ready website
Remember that NBN will be affected if there are power outages, so don't rely on that being available!
2. Gather information
Things to check:
- is your home or business likely to be affected?
- what does your insurance cover?
- what council support is there now, and in the emergency? BCC are offering help with sandbags, for example
- what are your neighbours doing to prepare? Can you help each other
- Ensure that you are across the risks in your local area if you're not already. Familiarise yourself with flood maps and local flooding patterns.
Resources
The federal government's RecoverConnect is a great source of information. Fact sheets about disasters are available in languages other than English.
If you have a disability, the P-CEP Workbook is designed to help develop a tailored emergency preparedness plan tailored to your needs.
The Brisbane City Council will provide sandbags for residents and businesses 24/7 during extreme weather events.
Sandbags can be collected at the following locations:
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Mortimer Road Park – 174 Mortimer Road, Acacia Ridge
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The former Toowong Bowls Club - Cnr Gailey Road and Heroes Avenue, Toowong
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Whites Hill Reserve -258 Boundary Road, Camp Hill
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Boondall Entertainment Centre, Car Park 2 – 1 Melaleuca Drive, Boondall
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Davies Park, Montague Road, West End
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Atthows Park, Monier Road, Darra
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Murarrie Recreational Reserve, Wynnum Road, Murarrie
Free green waste drop off is now available at all 4 resource recovery centres (RRCs). Residents are urged to clean up their properties ahead of possible severe weather.
The RRCs are open from 6.30 am to 5.45 pm every day, located at:
- Willawong - 360 Sherbrooke Road
- Chandler - 728 Tilley Road
- Ferny Grove - 101 Upper Kedron Road
- Nudgee - 1372 Nudgee Road
You can contact SES 132 500 from anywhere in Queensland for non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance during severe weather events. If the situation is life threatening, always call Triple Zero (000).
3. Make a plan
When Brisbane flooded in 2022, it happened so suddenly that parents and children were separated by floodwaters. Get the whole family involved in making a plan.
Consider worst-case scenarios:
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Where will you go if you have to evacuate?
- What arrangements can you make for pets?
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Can you arrange to move valuables to a safe place?
- Who will secure your house?
Create an emergency kit
There are two different types of emergency kit. A disaster kit is intended to help you survive a few days on your own, and should include basic food items, water, and items to allow you to shelter in place. Hopefully this sort of preparation is unnecessary for most Ryanites, but some individual circumstances might warrant this level of preparation. Download your easy emergency kit checklist here.
A flee kit is intended to secure valuables, and provide you with comfort if you are forced to evacuate. It might include a few days' clothes, chargers for your devices, medications and other health aids, as well as beloved toys, and books or games that can occupy children. Children can help pack their own flee kit: write a list on a pillowcase so they can remember what they want to bring.
Reduce the risk of damage
Cleaning up around outside the house, ensuring drains aren't blocked and turning off gas and power before you evacuate are relatively simple things all householders can do to minimise damage from floodwaters and debris. Longer term, there is advice on how to make your home more flood resilient.
If you won't be affected
We're working closely with the Maiwar office to ensure that, if the worst happens, we're ready to help. If you know you won't be affected and would like to help those who are sign up to join the Ryan team of flood volunteers.