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What to do in a disaster

Stay informed

In a disaster, being prepared and informed is the key to saving lives. Make sure you know how to get the right the information at the right time and act immediately on the advice.

Find out about the types of weather warnings and emergency alerts that can keep you informed.

Tune in to your local radio and TV stations for warnings, weather updates and safety announcements.

Log on to:

Listen out for:

  • the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS)—the siren sound used at the beginning of serious warnings on radio and television
  • Emergency alerts on your phone
  • your landline—voice messages
  • your mobile phone—text messages
  • sirens and loud-hailer announcements from Emergency Services
  • your front door—Emergency Services may door-knock to pass on warnings.

When there's a warning

Act immediately:

  • Make sure everyone in your house is aware of the warning and what to do
  • Check on neighbours and friends
  • Activate your emergency plan
  • Locate your emergency kit
  • Review your evacuation plan and locate your evacuation kit in case you are required to leave your home.

QLDAlert

For the latest information on current and ongoing emergency situations in Queensland, visit QLDAlert.

QLDAlert is a social media dashboard which displays frequent updates from the state's primary emergency information sources.

Road closures and safe evacuation routes

If possible, check for closed roads or changed road conditions online, or by phoning 13 19 40.

Missing people

If family members or other people you know cannot be found during or after the disaster, contact your local police station. More information and a register of current missing persons can be found on the Queensland Police website.

Health, hygiene and disease prevention

For information on how to minimise health risks during and after a disaster, go to the Queensland Health website.

Qld disaster warning hotlines

Cyclone 13 00 65 92 12
Land weather and floods 13 00 65 92 19
Coastal and marine 13 00 36 04 27
Tsunami (13 00 TSUNAMI)
13 00 87 86 264

General warnings (call costs apply) 19 00 96 99 22

Beware the calm eye of the cyclone

Some people go outside in the eye of a cyclone, mistakenly believing that the cyclone has passed. The eye is in the centre of the cyclone and can vary in size, from 10km to 100km, depending on the severity of the storm.

Due to the least amount of air pressure in the eye, it produces clear weather with light wind, no clouds, no rain and some sunshine. But, the storm is not over yet, it is only the middle of the storm.

Depending on the wind gusts, the eye may pass in a few minutes or in a few hours. Stay inside until you hear official advice that it’s safe to go outside.

Don't ignore the dangers

Don't drive through floodwater

Each year, emergency services receive calls for help from people who have ignored traffic signs and road closures and become stranded in floodwater—putting themselves and their rescuers at risk. Think about the consequences of your actions. Don't risk your life or the lives of others.

Don't play in or around floodwater

Children drown every year in floods. Warn children of the dangers—don’t let them play in or around floodwater.

Last updated
1 December, 2011

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