With Australia in line for a third La Nina season in a row, Queenslanders are being urged to prepare their families and property for possible natural disasters.
That's the message being driven home during Get Ready Queensland Week (10-16 October), which launched today with events at Depot Hill State School, Rockhampton and Nundah State School, Brisbane.
Depot Hill students were thrilled to join a video link-up with their Brisbane counterparts that also featured rugby league icon Johnathan Thurston, ambassador for the Get Ready Queensland program, and 7News Meteorologist Tony Auden.
Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke said it was a unique opportunity for Rockhampton to share in the statewide announcement.
"Regional communities like Rocky are always on high alert coming into storm season, and rightly so, with potential every year for floods, bushfires and cyclones," Mr O'Rourke said.
"By also launching Get Ready Queensland Week right here at Depot Hill State School we are ensuring our disaster preparedness messages are reaching more young Queenslanders.
"This is an experience that will stay with students and the school for a long time, and it's a really effective way we can imbed the Get Ready mindset into more Queensland homes.
"Queenslanders have long borne the brunt of natural disasters, we want to see families prepared for the worst and for our community to get ready."
Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the Queensland Government was preparing for another wet summer.
"With the Bureau of Meteorology declaring a third consecutive La Nina event, Central Queensland needs to be prepared for another wet summer," Ms Lauga said.
"School visits like Depot Hill today, and other Get Ready events throughout our state, encourage children to talk to their families about preparing for natural disasters," Ms Lauga said.
"Getting ready at a household and community level is the best way to increase disaster resilience, and we've got plenty of resources to help with that via our Get Ready Queensland website.
"Since 2011 Queensland has been impacted by almost 100 natural disasters, so it's a matter of when not if the next one will reach us – Central Queenslanders need to ask themselves are we ready?"
Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston said there are basic things Queenslanders can do now to ensure they are well prepared ahead of storm season.
"Queenslanders can get ready now by following three simple steps: know your risk, make an emergency plan, and pack an emergency kit," Mr Thurston said.
"Just grabbing a few extra items next time you're at the shops is all it takes to stock an emergency kit, to help keep you and your family safe at home.
"No matter where you live in Queensland you are at risk from extreme weather, so it's important to know what you might face and ways you can stay safe when the time comes.
"Don't miss this window of opportunity to Get Ready, Queensland."
The people of Rockhampton are no strangers to severe flooding and other natural disasters like bushfires and cyclones.
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said the community is well aware that disasters happen, and most households in the region will have already faced a few.
"If there is one thing we know from experience, being prepared can make a huge difference," Mayor Williams said.
"With the recent severe weather, both here and throughout the state, we know the value of having a plan in place before an emergency occurs.
"Being properly prepared means we can face a disaster with the confidence that our homes, family, friends, pets and community are as protected as possible, and the decisions we're making have been well thought-out beforehand.
"A plan also contributes to how we manage stress leading into a disaster and reduces community impacts during the recovery phase.
"We can't afford to be on the back foot during an emergency, so don't wait for an impending or actual disaster before you start your preparation," he said.
"I encourage everyone to get their emergency kits and plans together and make yourself familiar with your local emergency dashboard."
Ground zero for today's Get Ready Queensland Week regional launch, Depot Hill State School opened more than 100 years ago on the Fitzroy River flood plain.
Depot Hill State School Principal Elizabeth Jacobson said the school is very pleased to host the event, providing a timely reminder to families to get ready in preparation for possible natural disasters in the months ahead.
"Depot Hill is right on the banks of the Fitzroy River and takes in the flood plains nearby. When the Fitzroy River floods, the school is completely cut off from the rest of the town," Ms Jacobson said.
"The school was built only two years after the 1918 floods, the highest floods recorded, so the site chosen for the school is on a hill, however, there have been many times when Depot Hill School students have had to row to school during flood events.
"In 2017 our oval was under about a metre-and-a-half of water for a week and needed major refurbishment when the flood waters receded.
"We have had three major flood events in the past decade, so it pays to be prepared."
Get Ready Queensland is a year-round, all-hazards, resilience building initiative to help communities prepare for natural disasters.
A statewide Get Ready Queensland public awareness campaign, featuring Johnathan Thurston will be running until 18 November.
