AUSTRALIAN WARNING SYSTEM — FLOODING WATCH & ACT | PREPARE NOW FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING

UPDATE — THIS WARNING HAS EXPIRED. CHECK FOR UPDATED WARNINGS ON OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DASHBOARD.

PREPARE NOW FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING — Atherton Tablelands region — flood as at 8.37pm Wednesday 13 December 2023.

Warning level — WATCH & ACT

Warning area — Atherton Tablelands local government area.

This warning is from Tablelands Regional Council.

Rainfall totals of 30–200mm have been recorded over the Barron River catchment in the 24hr to 8pm Wednesday 13 December. Rainfall is forecast to continue during the remainder of Wednesday and into Thursday, with further heavy falls likely.

Water in the Barron River, upstream of Lake Tinaroo is rising. Flooding is possible in low-lying areas. People in the area that could be impacted by flooding should prepare now in case it gets worse.

Do not expect emergency services to come to your door.

Impacts

River and creek levels may rise quickly.
There will be some flooding near the river and creeks.
Some roads could be flooded.
Very heavy rain will make it dangerous to drive.

What you should do

Decide if you and the people you live with will leave if floodwaters get close to your house.
If you have children make sure they are with you or a responsible adult.
Warn friends, family and neighbours in the area. Help others if you can.
Lift important things onto benches, tables, high shelves or upstairs.
Move cars to high ground.
Make sure you have enough food, drinking water, medicine and pet food for up to five days.
Be prepared to have no power. Charge mobile phones now.
If you find it hard to move quickly leaving early is safer than waiting. Call your support service, a family member or a friend to help.
Use sandbags to block toilets, sinks and drains to stop sewerage backflow.
Stay away from rivers and creeks.
Batten down and tie up boats, jetskis and pontoons. Haul out if you can.
Stay up to date because conditions could change overnight:
Go to our Emergency Management Dashboard (dashboard.trc.qld.gov.au) for the latest warning.
Listen to your local radio station.

If you decide to leave early:

Go to a safe and high place, away from flooding. This could be with family or a friend.
Take your pets, pet food, pet lead, crate, mobile phone, charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents (like identification, insurance papers and passport), medicine, cash, valuables and keys.
Block toilets, sinks and drains with sandbags to stop sewerage backflow.
Lock windows and doors.
If you come to a flooded road, turn around and go another way. Do not drive through floodwater.

If you are camping or caravanning:

Pack up your campsite.
Check water levels and warning updates through the night.
Be ready to move people, pets, camping gear and vehicle to higher ground.

If you have livestock:

Move livestock to higher ground. You may need to open gates to other paddocks so animals can move if floodwaters rise.
Block access to low-lying paddocks, shelters or other places near creeks and rivers.
Provide lots of food and clean water in a safe place away from creeks and rivers.
Make sure animals can be identified if they get lost. This may include brands or tags.

More information

Go to our Emergency Management Dashboard (dashboard.trc.qld.gov.au) for the latest weather warning, emergency contacts, road closures and conditions, power outages, news from our Disaster Coordination Centre, links to ABC radio and key social media.
If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For cyclone emergency help, call the SES on 132 500 or download the SES Assistance QLD app.
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au/qld) for weather information.
Listen to our local radio stations.

The next update will be at 8am Thursday 14 December 2023.