Prepare now for wet spring, storm season
Unseasonal winter storms have given the City of Moreton Bay a taste of what could come this storm season, with authorities urging residents to prepare now.
Storms are the most common natural hazard in the city, regularly striking between November and March.
Parts of Moreton Bay, including Caboolture and Narangba, were hit with hail-producing storms in August, and long-range forecasts show spring will likely bring above average rainfall for most of eastern Australia.
Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery says now is the time to start preparing for the arrival of severe weather, including potential flooding and damaging storm activity.
“September may seem early for severe weather preparations, but we’ve already had some severe thunderstorm activity, and we are expecting a wetter than normal spring,” he says.
"With this in mind, we are asking residents to start clearing gutters and overhanging tree branches, and to ensure they pack an emergency kit, check their insurances, download their flood check property report to understand their flood risk, and get a household emergency plan ready.
“We’re also asking them to make sure they’re getting the latest information and severe weather warnings by signing up to receive Moreton Alert.”
New Disaster Dashboard feature
Residents should also familiarise themselves with the council’s disaster dashboard which provides the latest weather warnings (storm, flood and fire), road closures and power outages.
Council has recently become the first local government in Queensland to integrate advanced thunderstorm tracking features from WeatherWatch into its dashboard.
“This new feature clearly shows which areas are most at risk from current thunderstorm activity, helping residents prepare for potential impacts,” Mayor Flannery says.
“The system highlights severe thunderstorms and updates every five minutes using radar imagery from the Bureau of Meteorology's Mt Stapylton station in Brisbane.”
Local Disaster Management Group Chair Councillor Matthew Constance (Div 10) says the feature ensures residents have the best information at their fingertips.
“Residents can now simply click on individual storm cells to see their severity and potential impacts at a glance,” he says.
“In a disaster, it’s vital to know where to turn for reliable information. We encourage everyone to monitor the Bureau of Meteorology’s website and app for official warnings alongside Council’s Disaster Dashboard.”
WeatherWatch Meteorologist and Managing Director Anthony Cornelius says: “Our Storm Intensity mapping combines advanced three-dimensional radar analysis with atmospheric data to identify storms that display the telling signs of severe conditions.
“Our goal is to make severe weather information accessible and easy to understand. Partnering with City of Moreton Bay puts information in the community’s hands, helping people make informed decisions and stay safe when storms strike.
“Like any weather analysis tool, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we recommend using it alongside official weather warnings for the most complete picture."
The City of Moreton Bay Disaster Dashboard is online at disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Top tips to get ready
Roof condition - Check the condition of your roof and repair if needed.
Gutters and downpipes - Keep gutters and downpipes clear of leaves and other blockages.
Overhanging branches - Trim trees and branches that are close to your buildings. Check with council first. Also, let Energex know about branches hanging over power lines.
House repairs - Fix rusty, loose fittings, and rotting or termite-affected timber.
Tidy your back yard - Clear your property of loose items that may become projectiles in strong winds. Ensure large items such as trampolines and outdoor furniture are secured.
Understand your risk - Learn what can happen where you live and how it could affect how your family lives, works and moves in the community.
Make a plan - Make a household emergency plan, so your family knows what to do in extreme weather. Have all important contact details and information in one place.
Pack a kit – Have an emergency kit ready which includes a First Aid kit, important documents, sturdy gloves, torch, batteries, essential toiletries, water and non-perishable food for three days, phone and portable charger, battery operated radio, and USB with important documents, contacts, emails and photos saved on it.
For more information, visit getready.qld.gov.au/get-prepared