Warnings and Alerts

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system.

It is one of many ways emergency services such as police, fire and emergency services, can warn a community of a likely or actual emergency.

Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.

The warning system sends voice messages to landline telephones and text messages to mobile telephones within a specific area defined by the emergency service organisation issuing the warning message, about likely or actual emergencies such as fire, flood, cyclone or extreme weather events.

The caller ID or phone number may appear as +61 444 444 444.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THESE MESSAGES. 

You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.

During an Emergency Alert make sure you:

• Tune into your portable radio constantly
• Batten down the house
• Secure doors
• Board or tape windows
• Secure outdoor furniture
• Secure loose articles inside
• Disconnect electrical appliances
• Lock up pets
• Fill water containers
• Fuel car and place under cover
• Remain indoors with your emergency kit; and
• Unless advised otherwise, remember that the safest shelter is in your home.

 Be aware of shelter and evacuation options for residents in the Hinchinbrook Shire.

Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS)

When warnings are issued for major emergencies, relevant authorities may use the Standard Emergency  Warning Signals (SEWS) prior to providing information on the emergency.

SEWS is a wailing siren sound used throughout Australia for serious emergency events such as severe cyclone, bushfire, flood and storm.

When you hear the signal on radio, television or over the phone via Emergency Alert messages, pay careful attention to the information that follows and act immediately on the advice given.

For more information on SEWS or to hear the siren sound, visit the Queensland Government website Preparing for disasters.

Opt-In Notification Emails

Council's Disaster Dashboard is the place to go for all disaster related updates including current warnings, local road conditions and river heights - before, during and after a disaster or emergency event.

Members of the public can now 'Opt-In' to receive email notifications about:

• Weather warnings (including location options);
• Emergency news; and
• River flood notifications (including choice of rivers/stations and notification level - minor, moderate or major).

Once activated and logged in, you will be able to choose your required subscriptions according to the notifications you would like to receive.

For urgent or specific events, the Local Disaster Management Group may also send messages to subscribers by SMS.

For more information and instructions on subscribing to Opt-In Notification emails, please click on the link below.

Click here to download the Disaster Dashboard Opt-In Notifications Process