The ability of Council and emergency services to respond to a severe tropical cyclone, widespread flooding and mass evacuations will be tested tomorrow as part of an annual disaster training exercise.
Cairns Regional Council’s Disaster Coordination Centre will become a hub of activity as part of Exercise TC Gary, which is designed to prepare relevant agencies for a natural disaster.
Tomorrow’s scenario involves a category 5 severe tropical cyclone, which will cause a significant storm surge, and will require the evacuation of affected residents.
Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Cr Terry James, said Exercise TC Gary would assist in defining roles and responsibilities, and test local responses and logistical capacity ahead of any potential disaster threat.
“We undertake this training exercise every year to ensure that we are prepared should there be a real disaster,” Cr James said.
“We will go through the steps of activating the Disaster Coordination Centre and forming a multi-agency disaster response unit.
“Participants will assume the roles they would take in a real disaster situation and carry out duties in accordance with a disaster scenario.
“This year’s scenario is particularly timely, with the Bureau of Meteorology having declared La Niña for the third year in a row, with predictions of wetter than average conditions and a higher likelihood of tropical cyclones and flooding.
“Based on this information, dealing with a severe tropical cyclone and associated storm surge and flooding, is an appropriate scenario for preparing for the wet season.”
Cr James said the exercise served as a timely reminder to residents that they need to prepare for possible flooding and cyclone events, and importantly consider where they will stay during an emergency.
“Firstly, people need to know the risk that their property will be impacted by flooding or storm surge,” Cr James said.
“People can then decide whether their home is safe, or if they will need to evacuate depending on the emergency.
“While there are evacuation centres available, they have limited capacity.
“We urge residents, that wherever possible, they should make arrangements now to stay with family or friends, rather than potentially spending 18 hours locked down in an evacuation facility.”
