Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds and potential flooding to Brisbane and surrounding areas in the coming days. As carers, it’s essential to take extra steps to ensure both your safety and the wellbeing of those you support. Below are preparations to help you stay safe before, during and after the cyclone.

Helpful Resources

Get Ready Queensland
Get Ready Queensland is a year-round program helping all Queenslanders prepare for natural disasters. Being prepared before a disaster hits could be the difference between staying safe or putting yourself in danger.

Create an emergency plan at Get Ready QLD. The easy to follow guide will help you know your risks, make a safety plan and make an emergency kit.

Bureau of Meteorology
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology for regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice.

Local Council
You can sign up to Brisbane City Council’s Severe Weather Alerts here, or visit the following emergency pages: Redlands City Council, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

ABC Radio
You can pre-program your local ABC radio station into your preferred digital music service and on your battery operated radio, so that you can tune into warnings if the internet goes down.

ABC Emergency
The ABC Emergency website offers real-time updates and alerts on natural disasters, severe weather, and emergencies across Australia, helping communities stay safe before, during and after crises.

🏡 Preparing your home and staying safe while travelling

✅ Secure outdoor furniture, trim branches, clear gutters and collect
sandbags if needed.
✅ Stock up on essential supplies including water, non-perishable food, medications, torches, batteries and important documents in waterproof storage.
✅ Register for Brisbane Severe Weather Alerts to receive real-time warnings via SMS, email or voice message. You can also download the Weatherzone app for push notifications.
✅ Avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and strong winds – stay updated on road conditions at QLD Traffic and public transport changes via Translink.

📍Sand bag collection locations

If you’re in a flood-prone area sandbags are available at:

📍 Brisbane:
Darra – South Depot, 38 Shamrock Rd
Lota – Lota Depot, 58 Herbert St
Morningside – Balmoral Depot, 9 Redfern St
Newmarket – SES Depot, 66 Wilston Rd
Zillmere – North Depot, 33 Jennings St
Acacia Ridge – Mortimer Road Park
Toowong – Old Toowong Bowls Club, Corner Gailey Road and Heroes Avenue
Camp Hill – Whites Hill Reserve, off Boundary Road
Boondall – Boondall Entertainment Centre carpark.

📍 Moreton Bay:
Bunya – Bunya Waste Management Facility
Dakabin – Dakabin Waste Management Facility
Caboolture – Caboolture Waste Management Facility
Redcliffe – Redcliffe Waste Management Facility

📍 Fraser Coast:
Hervey Bay – 10-16 Islander Rd, Pialba
Maryborough – 24 Iindah Rd West, Tinana

🌿 Free green waste drop-off is available at all four Brisbane Resource Recovery Centres to help residents clean up their properties ahead of the storm.

Willawong – 360 Sherbrooke Road
Chandler – 728 Tilley Road
Ferny Grove – 101 Upper Kedron Road
Nudgee – 1372 Nudgee Road

👨‍👩‍👧 Preparing for your family and the people you care for

✅ Ensure you have sufficient medication, mobility aids and comfort items for those you support.
✅ Charge all necessary devices and have a backup power plan in case of outages.
✅ Identify a safe, quiet space for individuals who may be distressed by loud weather events.
✅ Have a communication plan in place with family, friends and any support workers in case of emergency.

If you or the person you care for requires additional assistance during severe weather, contact emergency services early.

🚨 Emergency contacts:

📞 Brisbane City Council: (07) 3403 8888
📞 Moreton Bay Regional Council: 3205 0555
📞 Fraser Coast Regional Council: 1300 794 929
📞 SES (for flood and storm assistance): 132 500
📞 Power outages (Energex): 13 62 62
📞 Life-threatening emergencies: 000
📞 Doctors numbers, save in contacts in case of loss of internet.

🧒 Supporting young people through the cyclone

Severe weather can be unsettling for children and young people especially those with anxiety or sensory sensitivities. Here are some ways to support them:

✅ Explain the situation in a calm and reassuring way. Avoid overloading them with distressing details.
✅ Create an emergency activity kit with books, colouring-in materials and comfort items to keep them engaged.
✅ Encourage open conversations about their feelings and provide space for them to ask questions.
✅ Use age-appropriate resources to help children understand what’s happening. Listen to the free book – Birdie and the Cyclone to assist in conversations with Cyclone Alfred: Watch on Youtube

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Preparing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred