Hyper-realistic, 3D animations put Queenslanders in eye of storm

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

New 3D animations place viewers at the centre of Queensland’s most frequent natural disasters – severe storms, cyclones and flooding – highlighting the risks of extreme weather.

Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said Queensland was famous for its incredible summers but also its extreme weather as the most disaster impacted state in Australia.

“Even though Queenslanders know all too well the impact of natural disasters, research shows complacency is the greatest challenge we face in encouraging people to prepare for severe weather events,” Mr Miles said.

“More than 40 per cent of Queenslanders will wait until a disaster event is almost upon them before they take steps to prepare, which is often too late.

“Thanks to our health response, people have been moving to Queensland in droves and our newest residents might not be used to our wild weather.”

“These hyper-realistic videos, developed by Get Ready Queensland in partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology, simulate extreme weather events, not just the intensity and impact, but also the speed, to really bring home how important it is to take the three steps to Get Ready.

“The cyclone video, for example, shows the increasing impacts of a Category 1 cyclone to a Category 5 cyclone, with a caravan being blown away, trees down, a roof torn off and the subsequent flooding including a crocodile in the floodwaters.

“This is not Sharknado or Crocnado, but a vivid reminder of what can and has happened in Queensland.

“I recommend all Queenslanders, especially new residents to our great state, to have a look at these videos.

“Remember, it takes three steps to Get Ready before any potential disaster strikes this summer; know your disaster risk, make an emergency plan and pack an emergency kit.”

Senior Meteorologist Laura Boekel, who features in the tropical cyclone piece, said the videos were based on the latest science and co-produced and narrated by fellow Bureau experts Jess Carey and David Grant.

“With many Queenslanders already experiencing the impacts of severe weather, the release of these three videos is a timely reminder that everybody should be planning ahead to keep themselves, their family and friends, and all community members safe,” Ms Boekel said.

“The visuals in the video, despite being created with the use of a green screen, are very realistic and show how dangerous each of these weather hazards can be – from how easily a car can be swept away in flood waters, to the size of giant hail that can smash windows, or the types of wind damage a category five cyclone can cause.

“The underlying message to be taken from these videos is simple: ‘Get Ready Queensland’ and ‘Know Your Weather, Know Your Risk'”

The Get Ready Queensland extreme weather videos will feature online across Get Ready Queensland and Bureau of Meteorology social media platforms from today.

/Public Release. View in full here.