Starting on Boxing Day in 2010, a series of horrific natural disasters took place in Qld...Cyclone Yasi descended upon the North of the State, a category 5 storm (the worst you can get) that blasted the coastal towns and flattened entire communities. And the town of Grantham, in the Lockyer Valley, was swept away by an inland tsunami, which had previously raced through Toowoomba and destroyed almost everything in its path. Many residents lost their lives...wrong place, wrong time, and no warning...floating cars being washed down the street, banging and rebounding against light poles and trees, like silver balls in a pinball machine. Realising one of my best friends was within reach of the disaster zone, and not being able to get through on the phone to her...Entire houses floating away and gradually sinking...with people still trying to get out of them...the images still haunt me. And in the middle of all this, while trying to track down my parents...who had been missing for two days...we get an evacuation automated phone message. No wonder I freaked...
Posted by Deborah Lane on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 12:33pm
We thought it was time for a reminder: What to do...........
When you hear a flood warning
- Listen to your local radio station for severe storm advice and warnings;
- Plan to move vehicles, outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to higher locations;
- Plan which indoor items you will raise or empty if water threatens your home (e.g. freezers and refrigerators); and
- Check your emergency kit and safeguard your pets.
If you need to evacuate
- Pack warm clothing, essential medications, valuables, personal papers, mobile phone, photos and mementos in waterproof bags to be taken with your emergency kit;
- Raise furniture, clothing and valuables on to beds, tables and into roof spaces;
- Empty freezers and refrigerators, leaving doors open;
- Turn off power, water and gas;
- Whether you leave or stay, put sandbags in the toilet bowl and over all laundry/bathroom drain holes to prevent sewage back-flow;
- Lock your home and take recommended evacuation routes for your area; and
- Bureau of Meteorology website for up to date weather information, including up-coming forecasts www.bom.gov.au ;
- The Traffic and Travel information line on 13 19 40 or http://131940.qld.gov.au/
- RACQ road closure site on 1300 130 595 or http://www.racq.com.au/travel/Maps_and_Directions/road_conditions
- For more information about flood and cyclone preparation and emergency kits can be found at www.disaster.qld.gov.au;
- Monitor local councils and local radio stations for local information and updates.
Hopefully I never have to do it again...but if I do...I can find the list...
