Mayor Whitney said the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group has moved to alert status ahead of a weather event which will affect the region on Thursday and Friday this week.

“A monsoonal low which lies over the northern reaches of the Coral Sea, is expected to strengthen as it moves towards the Queensland coast later this week and has the potential to dump 400mm of rain on the Whitsunday region on both Thursday and Friday,” Mayor Whitney said.

“While it is uncertain whether the low will develop into a cyclone and whether it will cross the coast anywhere near the Whitsunday region it is still a timely reminder to residents and businesses of their responsibilities.

“In addition, we will also experience king tides on Thursday and Friday and this coupled with
potentially 800mm of rain in 48 hours may result in localised flooding.

“Businesses and residents in low lying areas should prepare to sandbag and take any action
necessary ahead of potential localised flooding,” she said.

“Residents living in the low lying coastal areas of the Whitsundays are urged to call on their friends or family members who live in safer high places for shelter, in case they need to evacuate.

“People are also urged to think now about what their pet/animal evacuation plan will be.

“Residents who are new to town are encouraged to talk to their neighbours about how best to
prepare for a cyclone event,” she said.

The Whitsunday Disaster Management Group is also urging residents in coastal areas to
familiarise themselves with the storm tide inundation mapping to identify the relevant evacuation
zone for their properties.

The zones shown in the Emergency Action Guide (EAG) are an indication only for storm tides.

To view full-scale mapping, residents are urged to visit Council’s Customer Service Centres and
Libraries across the region or visit Council’s website www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au under the
‘Disaster’ tab.

To keep up to date with information relating to current disaster events, residents are encouraged to ‘Like’ the Whitsunday Disaster and Emergency Information Facebook page, which will provide a direct link to information from the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group.

The Whitsunday Disaster Management Group monitors all cyclone and storm activity throughout
the season and through Council, will provide up to date information to media outlets and the
community.

Ends

For media enquiries, contact:
Kate Lennox, Communications Manager
Phone: 07 4945 0614, 0427 458 369 or Email: kate.lennox@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au