Get Ready

Living in the tropics means being prepared for disaster season. Hinchinbrook Shire is regularly impacted by cyclones, storms, floods and storm tide, and early preparation helps protect lives, property and community. 

The best time to prepare for a disaster is well before one is even on its way. Planning early means nothing is left to chance and everyone knows what they need to do and where important items are kept. 

Because cyclones and floods are part of life in North Queensland, it’s easy to become complacent. Sadly, people have lost their lives during floods and cyclones because they were not prepared or did not follow official warnings. 

Make sure you are disaster ready. 

Get Ready Queensland promotes disaster preparedness across the state and provides practical tools to help households understand their risk and take action. 

Visit the Get Ready Queensland website for detailed information. 

Be prepared for the disaster season

Living in North Queensland carries the responsibility of always being prepared. Cyclones, storms and floods are familiar hazards in Hinchinbrook, but other events such as storm tide, bushfire, heatwave and earthquakes can also impact the Shire. 

Early preparation: 

  • Reduces stress during emergencies 

  • Improves household safety and confidence 

  • Supports emergency services response 

Talk with everyone in your household about disaster risks and plans. Because North Queenslanders look out for each other, check in with new neighbours, elderly residents and people who may need additional support. 

Understand your risk

Understanding your personal risk is the first step to being disaster ready. 

Every household’s risk is different and depends on: 

  • Location 

  • Likely hazards 

  • Time of year 

  • Household needs, mobility and pets 

To prepare your home or business: 

  • Identify which disasters are most likely to affect your area 

  • Understand flood, cyclone and storm tide evacuation zones 

  • Consider the impact on your family, property and livelihood 

Council information and Get Ready Queensland – Understand Your Risk resources provide reliable guidance to help you prepare. 

Disaster risk animations 

Get Ready Queensland, in partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology, has developed hyper‑realistic 3D disaster animations showing flooding and tropical cyclones in North Queensland. These videos demonstrate how quickly conditions can change and why early action is critical. 

Have a household emergency plan

A household emergency and evacuation plan ensures everyone knows exactly what to do if disaster strikes. 

Your plan should cover: 

  • How you will receive warnings 

  • When you will evacuate 

  • Where you will go 

  • How you will communicate 

  • What to do with pets 

You can: 

  • Create your own plan in a format that works for your household 

The most important thing is that everyone understands the plan. 

Prepare your property

Preparing early reduces damage and saves time when warnings are issued. 

Home 

  • Clear yards of loose items 

  • Trim trees and overhanging branches 

  • Maintain roofs and gutters 

  • Fix loose fittings and railings 

  • Install window shutters if possible 

  • Secure sheds and small structures 

  • Know how to turn off water, power and gas 

  • Ensure insurance is current and adequate 

  • Know your storm tide evacuation zone and routes 

  • Check on neighbours who may need assistance 

Cars 

  • Ensure insurance is current 

  • Park under cover, away from trees and powerlines 

  • Keep fuel tanks full during disaster season 

Pets 

Pets rely on owners for safety during disasters. 

Prepare by: 

  • Securing pets early or using carriers and leashes 

  • Keeping vaccinations current 

  • Tagging and microchipping pets 

  • Packing food, water, medication, bedding and sanitation supplies 

  • Keeping a recent photo of each pet 

Note: Pets are not permitted in Public Cyclone Shelters or Places of Refuge, except registered assistance animals. 

Boats 

Maritime Safety Queensland recommends all vessel owners prepare for severe weather. 

Key actions include: 

  • Reviewing the local Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan 

  • Identifying safe shelter areas 

  • Updating registration and contact details 

  • Ensuring insurance is current 

  • Securing moorings and removing wind‑catching items 

  • Checking hatches, bilge pumps and drainage 

Visit the Maritime Safety Queensland website for further guidance. 

Caravans 

Caravans are vulnerable to extreme weather whether parked or travelling. 

  • Park facing into the wind and away from flood‑prone areas 

  • Lower awnings immediately 

  • Secure using tie‑downs and anchor points 

  • Store loose equipment inside 

  • Turn off gas and electricity 

  • Seek alternative shelter during high wind warnings 

  • Prepare for bushfire risk 

Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are recommended.

Pack emergency supplies

Every household should have emergency and evacuation kits ready before disaster season. 

Council provides the following downloadable checklists: 

Click here to download Council's Emergency Kit Checklist(PDF, 240KB)

Click here to download Council's Emergency Pantry List(PDF, 349KB)

These resources help ensure adequate food, water, medications and essential items during prolonged emergencies. 

Resupply for flood-isolated properties

If your property becomes isolated during flood events, planning ahead is essential to keep you and your household safe. 

Am I responsible for my own supplies? 

If you know your property may be cut off during a flood, you should prepare in advance by storing enough food, drinking water, fuel and medications. As a minimum, plan for three to four days, but ideally aim to be self‑sufficient for up to seven days. 

Being prepared helps reduce stress during an emergency and ensures you can look after yourself and your family until access is restored. 

What is resupply? 

Resupply is the delivery of essential goods to people who are temporarily isolated because normal transport routes are unavailable due to a natural disaster. 

This may apply to: 

  • Isolated rural properties 

  • Primary producers 

  • Small towns or outstations unable to access retail facilities 

Resupply is intended to help maintain basic needs — not replace personal preparedness. 

How do I request resupply? 

To ensure your needs can be met, you must: 

  • Identify your essential food and supply requirements for the coming week or fortnight 

  • Submit your request at least seven days in advance, where possible 

Click here to download the Resupply Order Form(PDF, 183KB)  and email your completed form to disaster@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au  

Approved resupply process 

The Queensland Government has an approved process for providing essential resupply to flood‑isolated properties during natural disasters. 

To view the full, approved resupply process and understand how requests are assessed and delivered, please click the link below. 

 

Hinchinbrook Report - Disaster Ready Resource

The Hinchinbrook Report – Disaster Ready Resource is a key local guide to assist residents before, during and after disaster events. 

It includes: 

  • Emergency contact numbers 

  • Flood height comparison charts for Ingham and Lower Herbert – Halifax 

  • Storm tide evacuation information 

  • Local radio station listings 

  • Quick preparation guides 

Keep this resource handy and refer to it throughout disaster season. 

Seasonal Outlook visit https://www.bom.gov.au/ for the latest.

 

Fact sheets and other resources

Fact sheets help households prepare effectively.
Information is available in languages other than English via the Queensland Government Disasters and Emergencies website.

Other helpful resources 

 

Emergency Action Guide

Council has developed a local Emergency Action Guide to help households get ready for disasters common to North Queensland, including cyclones, floods and severe weather.

The guide supports the Get Ready Queensland approach to preparedness and helps you plan and prepare before disaster season. 

How the guide helps 

The Emergency Action Guide helps you: 

  • Know your risk and local hazards 

  • Plan ahead with a Household Emergency Plan 

  • Pack an emergency and evacuation kit 

  • Prepare your family, pets, home and belongings 

  • Know what to do before, during and after a disaster 

It is designed to be practical, easy to follow and useful when time is limited. 

How to use it 

Get Ready Queensland recommends preparing early. 
You should: 

  • Keep it with your emergency kit or household plan 

  • Review it regularly and update as needed 

  • Follow official warnings and advice during an event 

Prepared households are safer and recover faster. 

Multilingual Emergency Action Guide 

These translations were jointly funded through the Australian and Queensland Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). 

To arrange collection of printed copies, call Council on (07) 4776 4600. 

Important information 

This guide is provided for general information only. Residents should always follow current warnings and directions issued by emergency services. 

Warnings and alerts

Emergency Alert 

Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system used by emergency services. 

Warnings may be sent as: 

  • Voice messages to landlines 

  • Text messages to mobile phones 

Caller ID may appear as +61 444 444 444. 

Do not ignore Emergency Alert messages. Do not wait for an alert before acting. 

During an Emergency Alert: 

  • Tune into local radio 

  • Secure your home and belongings 

  • Fill water containers 

  • Fuel vehicles 

  • Secure pets 

  • Stay indoors with your emergency kit 

  • Be aware of local shelter and evacuation options 

Visit https://www.emergencyalert.gov.au/ for more information. 

Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS)

SEWS is a distinctive siren sound used nationally for serious emergencies. 

If you hear SEWS: 

  • Stop 

  • Listen carefully 

  • Act immediately on the advice provided 

 

Local Area Wardens

Local Area Wardens provide a vital link between local communities and the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG). 

Wardens assist by: 

  • Reporting local conditions 

  • Coordinating food and medical support 

  • Sharing up‑to‑date information 

Residents may contact their Local Area Warden for assistance or advice during an emergency. 

  • Residents can also contact SES on 132 500. 
  • Life‑threatening emergencies must be reported via 000. 

Download the 2025–2026 Local Area Wardens list(PDF, 426KB)  

 

 

   

Important contacts

Residents are encouraged to record important contact details on their Household Emergency Plan.

Important Contacts Contact Number Website
Life-threatening emergencies (Police Ambulance, Fire) 000 www.triplezero.gov.au
SES assistance 132 500 www.ses.qld.gov.au
Road conditions 131 940 www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
Hinchinbrook Shire Council (07) 4776 4600 www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au
Bureau of Meteorology 1300 659 210 www.bom.gov.au
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