Douglas residents prepare for TC Ita
Douglas residents prepare for Tropical Cyclone Ita
Wednesday April 9 2014, 3:20pm
UPDATE 7:22 PM: Douglas emergency service providers say they're 'well prepared' for a tropical cyclone set to cross the far north Queensland coast around Friday evening.
<link essential-cyclone-contacts-and-informati.11227.0.html _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>Essential cyclone contacts and information
<link douglas-residents-prepare-for-tc-ita.11225.0.html _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>Douglas region prepares for TC Ita
Tropical Cyclone Ita approaches FNQ coast
<link cyclone-forces-lizard-island-evacuation.11229.0.html _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>Lizard Island evacuated
Tropical Cyclone Ita is expected to intensify, moving in a westward direction before making landfall between Cape Flattery and Lockhart River.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects up to 600 millimetres of rainfall on Friday and Saturday in the Douglas region.
Douglas Shire mayor Julia Leu said a disaster coordination centre will be established at council's Mossman offices so all the agencies will be able to coordinate a response to the clean-up operation.
"North of the Daintree River we have council staff and contractors on standby with chainsaws and access to a backhoe to assist clearing the road if required as soon as it is safe to do so," Cr Leu said.
"Our Mossman and Port Douglas crews are also ready to go with road clearing activities if required."
Deputy Disaster Coordinator, Darryl Crees said 'maximum staff' will be available ahead of the cyclone making landfall.
"From there we'll make further determinations as to how staff will be deployed throughout the region," he said.
As part of cyclone preparations more than 70 elderly residents of the Port Douglas Ozcare nursing home were evacuated on Thursday.
They are currently staying at an aged-care facility in Malanda.
Emergency services said the nursing home was susceptible to a storm tide surge.
No fees for cyclone clean up
Douglas Shire Council has waived all green waste fees at Killaloe transfer station to help residents tidy up in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Ita.
Douglas resident Mick Lancaster dumped two trailer loads worth of loose objects at the transfer station between Mossman and Port Douglas.
Mr Lancaster said his cyclone preparations had been 'steady steady' so far.
"We're just getting rid of all the stuff outside, getting everything secure and away we go," he said.
"It's a really good opportunity for a clean up, [I'm] just chucking out all the little stuff that could blow away or be dangerous."
Mr Lancaster said he's 'hoping for the best' but preparing for the worst ahead of the cyclone.
The transfer station is open from 8am-5.30pm.
Green waste fees at the Newell Beach transfer station will also be waived on Friday from 7am-11.45am.
Be Prepared
Mossman SES controller, Bob Taylor said preparing your property before the cyclone makes landfall is critical.
"Make sure that your property is secure, any loose items are put away," Mr Taylor said.
"For the local builders around the place, make sure your site's secure."
More than 3,000 sand bags and sand is available for residents at the Port Douglas Community Hall and at the SES in Mossman on Front Street behind the Douglas Shire Council offices.
Mr Taylor said people in the Douglas shire should prepare for heavy rainfall, high winds and possible power outages.
He said stocking up on canned goods and non-perishable items were better than buying items that need to be refrigerated.
"Because if the power goes out, you run the risk of losing the lot," he said.
18 SES volunteers are on standby and will be available throughout the weekend.
The SES also has two flood boats at their disposal in the case of an emergency.
Emergency service providers are predicting the road between the ferry and Cape Tribulation may not be accessible for a period after the cyclone due to fallen trees.
The Bloomfield Track, similarly, may also be inaccessible for several days.
The Douglas Shire Council's first priority will be to clear vegetation on the main road between the ferry and Cape Tribulation.
Council said crews equipped with chainsaws and backhoe equipment stationed north of the river will start clearing the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
The SES has more than 300 tarps and rope for residents and businesses in the event of any damage caused by the cyclone.
With large rainfall figures expected for the rest of the week, Mr Taylor said commuters shouldn't take any chances on the roads this week.
"If the road's flooded, forget about it," he said.
"Not only are you putting your own life at risk, you're putting someone else's life at risk if you need to be rescued."
Cr Leu said residents should be willing to help visitors and people who are new to the region.
"I can understand people who haven't experienced may feel a little vulnerable but the best thing is to follow emergency service providers advice," she said.
The mayor said the Port Douglas Storm Tide Cyclone Shelter located will only be activated if there is an imminent threat of storm tide inundation as a result of a cylone.
The Storm Tide Cyclone Shelter is only for people who are at immediate risk of storm tide inundation.
Information will be on Council’s website and Facebook site should the Storm Tide Cyclone Shelter be activated.