Gold Coasters are being urged to take the time to Get Ready for storm season by preparing a detailed plan to help ensure they stay safe during a disaster.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Christmas and New Year's severe weather showed just how unpredictable Gold Coast weather can be and how essential it is to prepare.
"The storms, heavy rain and heat wave all within a few weeks provided some unprecedented challenges, including lengthy periods without power. We know some are still very much recovering from this event even today," Mayor Tate said.
"We are asking people to build on lessons experienced from those storms and take steps to get ready now including having a plan for lengthy power outages or loss of mobile phone service.
"With the storm and fire season upon us we urge Gold Coasters to take the time to ensure they are ready for a natural disaster by having emergency kits and detailed emergency plans.
"Prepare your home and property by making sure your gutters and yard are clear of leaves, branches, and debris. This helps prevent flooding and water damage during heavy storms."
The peak severe weather season on the Gold Coast is between October and April each year and can include bushfires, storms, heavy rains, high winds, and heatwaves.
To help prepare in case of a disaster, Gold Coasters should:
- Prepare an emergency plan
- Prepare an emergency kit
- Understand what risk your home and area may face
- Prepare your property by clearing leaves, branches and debris from your gutters and yard
When preparing an emergency plan residents should consider situations like what if you can't get home, what if your children are at school or childcare, do you have somewhere to evacuate to, and what happens if you lose power for any length of time.
The new online severe weather emergency planning tool launched by Get Ready Queensland will help Gold Coasters make an emergency plan. To start making an emergency plan visit getready.qld.gov.au/plan.
The Get Ready campaign was developed thanks to support from the Queensland Government's Get Ready Queensland program.
The City's free opt-in messaging service allows residents to get alerts to their phone during potentially dangerous situations. Sign up by visiting dashboard.goldcoast.qld.gov.au.
