Flood information - links

[ozbob]

Moderate to heavy rain Oxley <> Goodna.

Just travelled back on the Ippy Hwy via horseless carriage.

More heavy falls further out west too.

[ozbob]

Up to 3cm hail reported at Marburg. Check latest warning at https://t.co/8k1uPTZ7Qw. pic.twitter.com/THrwRnYdMV

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 21, 2016

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> No plans to release water from "full" south-east Queensland dams

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in parts of the Gympie, Logan, South Burnett, Brisbane City and Moreton Bay Council Areas.

Issued at 4:54 pm Sunday, 15 January 2017.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:55 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Brisbane CBD and Camp Hill. These thunderstorms are moving towards the northwest. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Enoggera Reservoir and Enoggera by 5:25 pm and Highvale, Samford and Albany Creek by 5:55 pm.

Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.

Chandler had 58mm in the 30 minutes to 4:25pm.
68mm in Carindale in 30 minutes to 4:45pm

================

I wonder if the Fortitude Valley Swimming Pool might re-appear?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Old floods show Brisbane's next big wet might be closer than we think

[ozbob]

1st February 2017

Media Release
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Joint statement by the Australian and Queensland Governments

Central Queensland building back better after Cyclone Marcia

Central Queensland communities are continuing reconstruction process after Tropical Cyclone Marcia left a trail of destruction throughout the region in February 2015.

While visiting works on the Scenic Highway at Statue Bay, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that more than $11 million was being used to upgrade the section of the Highway to protect against future natural disasters.

"The Scenic Highway suffered catastrophic landslips and damage following Tropical Cyclone Marcia so increasing the resilience and quality of the road just makes sense," she said.

"These works are part of an almost $60 million reconstruction program and it was great to see the way that this incredible community has recovered and come together in the face of such hardship."

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said that together Livingstone and Rockhampton councils were delivering both repairs damaged infrastructure and significant upgrades to protect against future damage.

"Having seen the devastation first-hand in the days after the cyclone struck, it was clear the community had a big job ahead of them and it's great to see the progress being made," Ms Trad said

"Both councils have already delivered major parts of their program and are making the region stronger and more disaster resilient to natural disasters in the process."

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, on behalf of Minister for Justice Michael Keenan, said both council's significant reconstruction and betterment programs were being delivered through the joint State-Commonwealth funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

"The Australian and Queensland governments are committed to working together to ensure disaster-affected communities have all the support they need," Ms Landry said.

"The NDRRA provides local councils with much needed funding for clean-up, recovery and restoration of essential public assets after disaster events like Tropical Cyclone Marcia."

Queensland Minister for Rural Economic Development and State Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said that Rockhampton was well on the way to a full recovery.

"Rockhampton's repair program is almost 75% completed with the most significant project - the repair and upgrade of Pilbeam Drive on Mt Archer - finished and work on local icon Kershaw Gardens well underway," Mr Byrne said.

State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said that she was looking forward to the completion of the works at Statue Bay, an integral tourist route in the Yeppoon region.

"The works on the Scenic Highway are significant and complex but will deliver the community a more resilient road better able to withstand the onslaughts of Mother Nature," Ms Lauga said.

Livingstone Mayor Bill Ludwig said the scale of damage and complex repair and rebuilding currently being undertaken on the Scenic Highway at Statue Bay is a testament to the significant challenges our community have to face in the wake of TC Marcia.

"The level of support Livingstone and our region was afforded by both the State and Federal Governments in the immediate aftermath of TC Marcia and throughout the on-going recovery process has been nothing short of outstanding," Mayor Ludwig said.

"The funding support received has allowed us to both repair the damage done while improving the resilience and capacity of the Scenic Highway to withstand major cyclonic and extreme wet weather events."

[ozbob]

QLD Severe T&#39;Storm: Large Hail, Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds. Ipswich, Fernvale, Indooroopilly. #storm #QLD #hail pic.twitter.com/VgcGbia8NR

— EWN Alerts (@EWNAlerts) February 13, 2017

Moderate to strong wind and rain at Goodna.   

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20041.html

IDQ20041
Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland Regional Office

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett and Maranoa and Warrego Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:35 pm Sunday, 19 February 2017.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Maroochydore, Roma, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe, Caboolture and Goondiwindi.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Nearly 90 per cent of Queensland in drought after latest declarations

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20041.html

IDQ20041
Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland Regional Office

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL

For people in parts of the
Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast District.

Issued at 4:42 am Monday, 13 March 2017.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Stanthorpe and Texas.

Falls of up to 64mm have been recorded near Inglewood.

[ozbob]

The rains cometh ,,
BOM https://t.co/JOJyW2IEc0 pic.twitter.com/9OuwFKCP2l

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 12, 2017

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

IDQ20038
Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland Regional Office
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DAMAGING WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in parts of the
Toowoomba Council Area.

Issued at 6:43 am Tuesday, 14 March 2017.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 6:45 am, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near the area northwest of Oakey. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Oakey, Jondaryan and the area west of Oakey by 7:15 am and the area northwest of Toowoomba and the area west of Toowoomba by 7:45 am.

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

[ozbob]

Brisbane City in #storm&#39;s firing line https://t.co/eq5vCGhWNi #bneweather #weather pic.twitter.com/xLscaHWLSy

— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) March 14, 2017

[ozbob]

A dangerous storm w destructive winds is currently impacting parts of the Brisbane Valley & is moving east. #qldstorms pic.twitter.com/PDVIdLXCOU

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 14, 2017

[ozbob]

Uh ... oh ... look out
Tracking south ... nowhttps://t.co/JOJyW2IEc0
WE ARE GOING TO GET WET (WETTER) O_O pic.twitter.com/IOqoc6CbgI

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 14, 2017

[Otto]

Yep, been watching the radar for a while. Just starting to rain at Redland Bay now..

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cyclone likely to form off Queensland coast within days

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/national_radar_sat.shtml

A TROPICAL cyclone is likely to form up and hit the Queensland coast anywhere within a 1000km-stretch from Cooktown to Mackay in the coming days.

North Queensland communities are urged to begin preparations, with a tropical low in the Coral Sea rated a high chance of becoming a cyclone by Sunday night.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a cyclone watch for the state's tropical north and expects the system, packing torrential rain and destructive winds of at least 125km/h, to cross the coast early next week.

"It's too early to speculate about the cyclone's intensity, forecast path and where it will make landfall,'' Queensland Regional Director Bruce Gunn said.

"We will get a clearer picture in the coming days.'' ...

[ozbob]

24th March 2017

Media Release
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

North Queenslanders asked to prepare with possible Cyclone forecast

Coastal communities in north Queensland are being asked to start preparing ahead of a possible cyclone forming in the coming days.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) had forecast possible Tropical Cyclone development over the weekend off the North Queensland coast.

"With the possibility of a cyclone bringing damaging winds, hail and heavy rain, the Palaszczuk Government is reminding residents in northern parts of the state to take the time to ensure they are prepared," Minister Ryan said.

"Take the opportunity this weekend to sit down with your loved ones and ensure you have an emergency plan detailing the actions you and your family will take in the event of a disaster.

"Make sure you have an emergency kit and check that it is well stocked with supplies including food, water, warm clothes, medications, first aid supplies, important documents, valuables, a battery-powered or wind up radio and sleeping gear.

"Also, take steps to prepare your property. Clear your gutters and ensure your yard is clear of any green waste and loose branches.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping Queenslanders safe and our emergency services crews right across the state are ready to respond if needed."

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Katarina Carroll urged motorists to heed warnings and avoid unnecessary travel on the roads in the event of heavy rainfall.

"We've already seen very wet conditions during the past week across parts of Queensland, resulting in flooding across many roads and causeways," Ms Carroll said.

"With additional rainfall forecast, drivers need to pay close attention to weather reports and local conditions before getting behind the wheel.

"If it's flooded, forget it.

"Prepare to stay safe and think about whether being on the road is necessary.

"If you do have to travel, always have a Plan B, including finding alternative routes in case roads are flooded."

Stay up to date with current weather conditions by visiting www.bom.gov.au and www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au for road closures.

For storm and flood assistance contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000).

ENDS

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.

PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 1

Issued at 12:36 pm EST on Friday 24 March 2017
Headline:

Coral Sea tropical low should develop into a tropical cyclone and move west towards the coast over the weekend.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

None.
Watch Zone

Cape Tribulation to Proserpine.
Cancelled Zone

None.
Details of Tropical Low at 10:00 am AEST:

Intensity: Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 45 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 110 kilometres of 16.1 degrees South 151.4 degrees East, estimated to be 610 kilometres east of Cairns and 600 kilometres northeast of Townsville.

Movement: south at 15 kilometres per hour.

The tropical low has been showing signs of strengthening and has been moving towards the south. During Saturday the low is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone and adopt a track towards the west, bringing it towards the north Queensland coast. Conditions are expected to favour the continued intensification of the system as it approaches the coast over the weekend.
Hazards:

GALES are not expected along the coast in the next 24 hours.

[ozbob]

See latest tropical #Cyclone Forecast Track Map and Advice; the Watch area now extends further south to #StLawrence https://t.co/PtE3BBCKEt pic.twitter.com/eAfA0T3PpJ

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 24, 2017

[ozbob]

24th March 2017

Media Release
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier convenes Queensland Disaster Management Committee tomorrow

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will convene the Queensland Disaster Management Committee in Brisbane tomorrow morning (Saturday) with a Coral Sea tropical low expected to develop into a tropical cyclone and move west towards the coast over the weekend.

The Queensland Disaster Management Committee will be briefed by the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

"The focus of the meeting, and of my Government, will be to ensure our communities are prepared if a Cyclone forms, as expected, over the weekend," the Premier said.

For the latest Bureau of Meteorology advice please see link http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html
IDQ20023

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 9

Issued at 1:34 am EST on Sunday 26 March 2017

Headline:

Tropical Cyclone Debbie remains slow moving at category 2.

Areas Affected:

Warning Zone

Ayr to St Lawrence including Bowen, Mackay, and the Whitsunday Islands.
Watch Zone

remaining coastal areas from Cairns to Ayr including Innisfail and Townsville, extending inland to Charters Towers and Mount Coolon.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Debbie at 1:00 am AEST:

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 100 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 140 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 17.9 degrees South 151.8 degrees East, estimated to be 545 kilometres east northeast of Townsville and 500 kilometres east northeast of Ayr.

Movement: slow moving.

Tropical Cyclone Debbie intensified to a category 2 cyclone earlier tonight. The system remains slow moving at the present time. It is expected to adopt a steady west-southwest track later this morning, which will continue for the next few days. Conditions will remain favourable for the cyclone to develop further before landfall, which will likely be between Townsville and Proserpine on Tuesday morning.
Hazards:

GALES are expected to develop about the exposed coast and islands between Ayr and Mackay on Sunday afternoon or evening, and could extend further south to St Lawrence on Sunday night. GALES could extend further north to coastal areas between Cairns and Ayr on Monday, as well as further inland to Charters Towers and Mount Coolon.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts over 125 km/h are expected to develop about the exposed coast and islands between Lucinda and Mackay on Monday afternoon or evening.

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Tropical Cyclone Debbie is expected to cross the coast between Townsville and Proserpine on Tuesday morning, most likely as a CATEGORY 4 tropical cyclone, with wind gusts up to 260 km/h near the centre.

Abnormally high tides are expected to occur between at least Lucinda and Mackay as the cyclone approaches the coast. Large waves may also develop along the beachfront. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.

Areas of heavy rain with the potential to cause severe flash flooding are expected to develop about parts of the northern and central Queensland coast and adjacent inland areas late on Sunday and continue through Monday and Tuesday. Major river flooding may also develop over a broad area next week and a Flood Watch is current for coastal catchments between Cairns and Gladstone, extending inland to the eastern Gulf River catchments.

Recommended Action:

- People between Ayr and St Lawrence should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

- People between Cairns and Ayr, and inland to Charters Towers and Mount Coolon, should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster

Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)

- For emergency assistance call the State Emergency Service

(SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen
trees on buildings or roof damage)

Next Advice:

The next advice will be issued by 5:00 am AEST Sunday 26 March.

[ozbob]

With #cyclonedebbie approaching the North Qld coast, keep an
eye on long distance service alterations here: https://t.co/P8fdffou4b

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) March 25, 2017

http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/ServiceUpdates/Pages/default-%20do%20not%20touch.aspx

[ozbob]

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP

Tropical Cyclone Debbie

Issued at 11:00 am AEST Sunday 26 March 2017. Refer to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 12.

[ozbob]

Flood Watch issued - widespread daily rainfall up to 200mm from tomorrow, 400mm possible on the coast #CycloneDebbie https://t.co/CQJkcamqzO pic.twitter.com/F7s22SsJnp

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 26, 2017

[ozbob]

Updated track map has been issued for Tropical #CycloneDebbie, remaining Cat 2 intensity at 1am. https://t.co/YTkwbdYNGp pic.twitter.com/tGbZBMhc57

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 26, 2017

[ozbob]

512 km composite Bowen Radar Loop
BOM https://t.co/kl52A69JgK pic.twitter.com/cjqXEbp91T

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 27, 2017

[ozbob]

Latest track map for #CycloneDebbie. Category 3 with gusts to 220km/hr. Expected to be Cat 4 at landfall on Tue AM.https://t.co/abjo0qiR5X pic.twitter.com/xIQKN5AqI6

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 27, 2017

[ozbob]

512 km composite Bowen Radar Loop
BOM > https://t.co/kl52A69JgK pic.twitter.com/3q3Pr3lku9

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 27, 2017

[aldonius]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cyclone-debbie-expected-to-be-worse-than-yasi-20170327-gv76l3.html

RIP any chance of funding for CRR, again.

[ozbob]

#FleeQLD !   

North Coast Line and others will need a lot of recovery $$$, as will roads, and other civil infrastructure.

Housing recovery will also be expensive - insurance will cover some but nowhere near all.   Also depends how well the building requirements have been meet for the cyclone proofing and so forth.

At risk folks have been directed to evacuate.  Storm surge could be a major issue - a wall of water several metres high. 

I was in Townsville after Cyclone Althea (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Althea) 1971.  Not pretty ... Storm surge was 3.7 m.  That's a lot of water ..

[ozbob]

And here&#39;s the loop to go with that last tweet! Sorry! pic.twitter.com/JgqkNVfL4H

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 27, 2017

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cyclone-debbie-expected-to-be-worse-than-yasi-20170327-gv76l3.html

RIP any chance of funding for CRR, again.

Correct. This cyclone is going to do a lot of damage.  Cat 4 over generally well populated areas with significant infrastructure.

Agricultural impacts will be significant as well.

[ozbob]

All Mackay Transit Coaches bus services have been cancelled due to Cyclone Debbie, including school bus services https://t.co/eJbMmFNsXB pic.twitter.com/doGAnvuGMp

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) March 27, 2017

[ozbob]

512 km composite Bowen Radar Loop
BOM > https://t.co/kl52A69JgK pic.twitter.com/RmDiUvNAQq

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 27, 2017

[ozbob]

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie at 1:00 am AEST:

Intensity: Category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 175 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 250 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 19.8 degrees South 149.6 degrees East, estimated to be 140 kilometres east northeast of Bowen and 160 kilometres north northeast of Mackay.

Movement: west southwest at 8 kilometres per hour.

Hazards:

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of tropical cyclone Debbie is forecast to cross the coast between Ayr and Cape Hillsborough (north of Mackay) late this morning with wind gusts potentially to 260 km/h near the centre of the system.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts over 125 km/h are occurring about the Whitsunday Islands, and will extend further to the exposed coast and islands between Ayr and Mackay later this morning. These DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may extend further northwest along the coast to Townsville and to adjacent inland areas, including Collinsville and Charters Towers, and Mount Coolon during the day today.

GALES are now occurring about the Whitsunday coast and south to Sarina. These GALES are expected to extend to the remaining coastal and island areas between Townsville and St Lawrence tonight. GALES could potentially extend further northwest to Lucinda and further inland to locations such as Charters Towers, Pentland, Mount Coolon, and Moranbah this afternoon and evening.

Residents between Ayr and St Lawrence are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast late this morning. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. Large waves may also develop along the beachfront. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.

Areas of heavy rain with the potential to cause severe flash flooding have developed around the central coast and Whitsundays district and are expected to spread to other parts of the northern and central Queensland coast and adjacent inland areas today. Widespread daily rainfall totals of 150 to 250 mm, with isolated event totals of 500 mm, are also likely to lead to major river flooding over a broad area this week, and a Flood Watch is current for coastal catchments between Rollingstone and Gladstone, extending inland to the Upper Flinders, Thomson and Barcoo catchments.

Severe tropical cyclone Debbie is currently a category 4 cyclone. It may intensify further as it continues to move west-southwest towards the Whitsunday coast this morning. Severe tropical cyclone Debbie is forecast to make landfall between Ayr and Cape Hillsborough (north of Mackay) late this morning.

[ozbob]

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP
 Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie
BOM > https://t.co/oTBS50qtnC pic.twitter.com/6w36RoYI45

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 27, 2017

[ozbob]

There is a fair chance that Cyclone Debbie could intensify to CAT 5.  Slow moving enough to allow that to occur.

[ozbob]

27th March 2017

Media Release
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

2000 staff pre-deployed or on standby for Tropical Cyclone Debbie

The Palaszczuk Government has pre-deployed or put on standby almost 2000 staff in readiness for Tropical Cyclone Debbie to cross the Queensland coast early tomorrow morning.

Speaking after the Queensland Disaster Management Committee meeting tonight, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said across multiple agencies – and in partnership with local councils and the Australian Defence Force - the Government has made comprehensive preparations for Tropical Cyclone Debbie, its damaging winds, heavy rains and high tides.

"My priority is to keep Queenslanders safe. We have ensured our staff are pre-deployed or on standby to support communities," she said.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service have 146 staff, including the Disaster Assistance Response Team, have been deployed and are ready to respond. More than 500 SES staff are in place in the region across the region.

The Queensland Police Service have 40 additional personnel have deployed, and a further 270 officers and other staff are on standby to deploy.

The Queensland Ambulance Service has pre-deployed 25 staff to Townsville and Mackay and the State Ambulance Coordination Centre (SACC) has been stood up.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority has deployed regional liaison officers to Burdekin and Whitsundays to provide specialist support to local disaster management groups and councils. Eight damage assessment officers are on standby to assist QFES on the ground.

Ergon Energy has been stood up and is making preparations. To date, 800 energy workers including North Queensland-based employees and contractor resources are ready to respond. An additional 75 Energex staff were deployed from Brisbane today, with 130 extra Energex staff will deploy tomorrow. Communities reliant on Ergon have sufficient fuel supplies in place. Generation assets are being moved closer to the likely impact zones. Ergon has 125 generators and three mobile substations.

Powerlink has 60 staff on standby in Townsville and Mackay to respond to issues.

More than 317 Schools, TAFEs, Early Childhood Education and Care Services are closed in the impacted regions. Visit the Department of Education's closure website at http://closures.det.qld.gov.au/

The Department of Housing and Public Works have 336 staff are on standby for deployment, including Housing and Homelessness Services staff and Building and Asset Services staff.

Six Community Recovery specialist staff are prepositioned in North Queensland. A further 300 Ready Reservists are available for immediate deployment following the impact, when possible and safe to do so.

The Department of Communities' planning is well advanced with worst case scenario planning including the provision of service options through up to 13 Recovery Hubs and 70 Outreach teams. The Department has provided 30,000 debit cards to north and far north Queensland to streamline access to assistance for affected families and households.

The Australian Defence Force has been stood up and is ready to deploy teams to affected areas.

Emergency information

Residents should stay tuned to ABC Local Radio as the emergency broadcaster:

    people in Townsville and North Queensland should tune to 630AM.
    people in Mackay and Central Queensland should tune to 101.1FM.

For storm and flood assistance contact the SES on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call Triple Zero.

[ozbob]

#CycloneDebbie #satellite loop coinciding with wind visualisation from https://t.co/nR8nKDmOxE. Satellite images: https://t.co/l3kCoJ1bPD pic.twitter.com/6UF4G5Ngxo

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 27, 2017