Word on whether Port Douglas has been successful in being granted an evacuation centre has been delayed with an announcement due at any time.

A decision by the State Government had been expected on 1 July.

Meanwhile, Cairns Regional Council will this week deliver households in the region information on predicted storm tide evacuation zones and procedures.

Council has produced booklets, along with colour-coded stickers, to help residents to prepare for potential natural disasters.
 
“The first step – and the biggest – in surviving a natural disaster is to know the risks and plan accordingly,” Mayor Val Schier said.

“If your property is coloured in a red, orange or yellow evacuation zone, you may be at risk from storm tide flooding in a cyclone event.  


“The stickers tell you at a glance the predicted risk of inundation and the Storm Tide Evacuation Guide contains detailed maps, suggested evacuation routes, a household plan template, as well as other information that may be helpful when facing evacuation.”

SEE THE EXISTING EVAC ROUTES AND MAPS HERE

The stickers are part of an evacuation strategy developed by Cairns Regional Council to help all residents to deal with the possibility of natural disasters.   

Stickers will be placed in meter boxes of residentially-zoned properties from next week and will be gradually rolled out before the next wet season in November.

Residents of units or premises where the meter box is not accessible will receive their stickers by mail.

“All residents are asked to look at the maps in the guide to find out if they are in a predicted storm tide evacuation area and to keep the booklet in a safe place,” Cr Schier said.

Residents living outside of the predicted storm surge risk areas will not receive a sticker.
 

Editor's Comments: If you click on the link in the article you'll see the evac routes and maps for our region. The Port Douglas evac routes are indicated by the black lines and arrows heading out of town and turning either left or right at the Captain Cook Highway, to where I couldn't tell you.

Wouldn't it be comforting to know that a suitable evac centre sits just a few minutes from the majority of residents? Time will tell if that becomes a reality.