LOCAL Disaster Management Group Chairman Andrew Antoniolli said Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s sustained high winds and torrential rain remained a key concern as his team continued with preparing the city for potential disaster.
“We are bracing for these high winds and flooding and planning on the action appropriate for such situations at the times that they might occur," Cr Antoniolli said.
“Our new general manager of Assets and Infrastructure Services has joined us from Townsville and she has a wealth of experience with cyclones and is at ease with the way things are so far progressing.
“We are prepared in a way that is both flexible and fluid.
“As changes occur, we’re pivoting to ensure that our response is capable.
“We expect that in the aftermath of the cyclone there will be continuing subtropical rain in this once-in-a-lifetime event.
“The problem with Tropical Cyclone Alfred is its volatile nature.
“It is not following any recognised path and it appears to be completely unique.
“We will be ramping up Local Disaster Management Group meetings and getting regular updates from our local disaster coordinator and local disaster manager to constantly be updated and to ensure that the council executive and its branches are geared up for what we need, both internally as an organisation and also operationally.
“I am constantly reading updates on Alfred and I am now speaking with community groups."
He said there could be severe consequences for homes from cyclonic wind.
“The implications for our city with such sustained winds are unknown at this stage and this will not be a quick storm that passes through,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Winds at high speed over sustained hours and then torrential rain with possible flooding is something we haven’t had to deal with before.
“We are analysing every scenario; we do not want the public to be alarmed but to remain alert.
“Ipswich City Council will be your single point of truth in relation to this cyclone; everything that we do will be recorded on our council disaster dashboard page, and there will be updates available on our Facebook page.
“I would certainly recommend that people listen to their radio such as River 949, and the ABC to keep fully informed.”
He said the time to get sandbags was fast running out.
“We have sandbags only until such time as the sand runs out because even the providers have now shut down.
“When the sand runs out at the locations, there will be no more. At noon on Thursday availability for sandbags will end as we must look after the safety of our staff as well.
“The waste transfer stations at Riverview and Rosewood will both shut too.”
Cr Antoniolli said people’s homes would be the safest place for them to be.
“This will be the case until we have more information in relation to possible flooding and modelling on that,” he said.
“The reality here is that people should have their properties prepared now. There should be nothing lying around in the backyards or front yards that could cause damage.”
He said people should look after each other.
“If we work together, we’ll get through it together,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“And I think that’s the important thing. Please check on neighbours. Look out for one another, make sure everybody in your neighbourhood is prepared.
“So, if you know somebody in your neighbourhood who is elderly, frail, has any form of mobility issue, be it in a wheelchair or is frail in nature, please help.
“I think as a community, if we work together, we’ll get through this together.”