Preparations for the impending storm and wet weather season across the Toowoomba Region are well underway.
Toowoomba Region Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Paul Antonio said Council's Disaster Management team was well prepared for the upcoming storm and wet weather season.
"Just this week Councillors received a briefing from our Disaster Management team on the climate outlook for summer and the work that's going on to prepare our region in case of further wet weather and storm activity.
"As a region, we've taken so many learnings from the flooding disaster of January 2011 and now have an extensive network of flood gauges and cameras in addition to the significant program of flood mitigation works that were undertaken to increase capacity within detention basins," Mayor Antonio said.
"Last weekend we saw the first significant storm of the season which impacted the northern parts of our region with fallen trees, road closures and some property damage.
"We ask residents to consider preparing their own properties in case of severe storms, flooding or isolation.
"That involves cleaning out gutters, securing loose objects, considering filling your own sandbags at various sand pile locations throughout the region and having enough food and medical supplies on hand for a few days if you happen to live in an area that becomes isolated due to flooding.
"Resilience, self-reliance and being prepared ahead of time truly are the best ways to be ready for an emergency.
"Council is doing its bit to prepare too with the Local Disaster Management Group recently completing a mock exercise bringing together agencies and key Council staff in our Disaster Coordination Centre for a flood scenario in preparation for this summer.
"We also have a state-of-the-art Disaster Dashboard available to residents which is updated during an event with road closures, flood cameras, gauges, weather and flood warnings," Mayor Antonio said.
For residents wanting to be prepared ahead of time in case of wet weather they can purchase their own sandbags and bring their own shovel with sand piles available now at the following locations:
- Newman Road, Wyreema
- Duke Street, Jondaryan (near the steam train)
- 4-20 Lorrimer Street, Oakey (in front of SES)
- 33-35 Cooke St, Goombungee (in front of SES)
- Railway Street, Pittsworth (in front of SES)
- Timber Street, Crows Nest (next to SES)
During an event, if your property is facing immediate threat of inundation, call the SES on 132 500.
Keep up to date during an emergency event with road closures, flood cameras, weather and flood warnings at Council's Disaster Dashboard here - https://disaster.tr.qld.gov.au/
