The State Emergency Service (SES) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) alongside local councils and disaster management groups have distributed more than a million sandbags to help southeast Queenslanders prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The millionth sandbag supplied through SES to local government was collected Friday morning, with more than 469,000 sandbags distributed between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Thursday and 403,000 on Wednesday, in addition to Council supplied sandbags.
Each sandbag carries approximately 15 kilograms of sand, meaning 750 trucks have delivered approximately 15,000 tonnes of sand to fill sandbags.
State Disaster Co-ordinator, Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy APM applauds Queenslanders for following advice and preparing their properties and families for the potential impacts of TC Alfred.
“Our local councils have been moving mountains of sand trying to get our communities ready,” Acting Commissioner Chelepy said.
“I’d like to than southeast Queenslanders for taking our advice seriously, coming together and taking action to protect their homes, families, and each other.
“We’re committed to helping prepare our communities for this event, and that time for preparing is almost at an end.
“We ask you to now remain engaged with weather warnings and emergency advice, to ensure you stay safe through this severe weather event.”
Approximately 2,200 SES volunteers have been out in the regions ready to deploy, responding to 4000 requests for service in the last three days and helping Queenslanders prepare alongside their emergency services colleagues.
It comes as additional SES resources arrive in southeast Queensland to assist with ongoing efforts.
SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong said almost 100 SES members arrived yesterday from Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton.
“We’re so appreciative of our northern members who’ve just gone through their own disaster event and have now come down to help out the southeast,” Mr Armstrong said.
“Queenslanders are now reminded that the time to prepare is almost over, take these last few hours to do your final checks.
“Stay safe, check on your loved ones and don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Residents are also reminded that requests for SES assistance can be made online and through the SES Assistance QLD app on iOS and Android.
Important things to remember during a natural disaster:
- Follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services.
- Tune into weather warnings.
- Locate your severe weather plan and emergency kit and evacuation kit if evacuation is a possibility.
- Check in with family, friends and neighbours.
- Remembering that phone and internet services may go down so know your local radio station.
Alerts and warnings resources:
- Get Ready Queensland also provides advice for Tropical Cyclone Alfred and general information on preparing and recovering from disasters, including in language resources.
- Queensland Disaster Management Services website for information on preparing, Emergency Alerts issued and current information on disaster events.
