STORM TIDE EVACUATION GUIDE - Townsville City Council

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What is a cyclone?A tropical cyclone is a violent collection of whirling winds and dense cloud mass. Winds spiral clockwise around a central eye ofexceptionally low pressure. With winds reaching speeds in excess of 200km/h, cyclones can be extremely dangerous.What are cyclone categories?The severity of a tropical cyclone is measured by a category determine by the Bureau of Meteorology.Cyclone categories range from 1 for weaker cyclones to 5 for the most severe cyclones. This helps the community assess theseverity of the cyclone and take appropriate actions.The category of a cyclone refers to the severity of winds in a maximum wind zone. You may not experience the effects of themaximum winds. Damage experienced may vary according to location factors.The category of a cyclone does not refer to an associated storm tide. Warnings for a storm tide will be issued separately by theBureau of Meteorology (BOM).Cyclone WatchA cyclone watch is issued at six hourly intervals if a cyclone or potential cyclone exists, and there is a likelihood gale force windsor stronger will affect coastal or island communities within the next 24 to 48 hours.Cyclone WarningA cyclone warning is issued at three hourly intervals if gale force winds or stronger are expected to affect coastal or islandcommunities within the next 24 hours. Warnings are updated every hour when a cyclone is close to landfall. The StandardEmergency Warning Signal (SEWS) may be used with some cyclone warnings.Severe Weather WarningA severe weather warning may be issued if the system is no longer a cyclone but communities are still being threatened bydamaging winds, flooding rains or pounding seas.CATEGORY STRONGEST GUST (km/h) TYPICAL EFFECTS1 Tropical Cyclone2 Tropical Cyclone3 SevereTropical Cyclone4 SevereTropical Cyclone5 SevereTropical CycloneLess than 125 km/hGales125 - 164 km/hDestructive Winds165 - 224 km/hVery destructive winds225 - 279 km/hVery destructive windsMore than 280 km/hExtremely destructive windsMinimal house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans.Boats may drag moorings.Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavydamage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small boats may break moorings.Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failurelikely.Significant roofing and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed andblown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction4
What if I am in an Evacuation Zone?If your property is located in an evacuation zone, you need to read this booklet. This important booklet also includes colouredlabels. Council suggests that you place one coloured label in your meter box and one under your kitchen sink. It is important tounderstand what you need to do in the event of a storm tide.Identify where your residence is located on the evacuation map and familiarise yourself with your evacuation zone and routes.If you are in a red, orange, yellow or blue zone, there is a chance that your property may be inundated in a storm tide event. Theheight of the predicted storm tide during the disaster event will determine which zones are affected.If you are not located in a coloured zone, you are outside the storm tide inundation threat area.How to read and the use the storm tide evacuation maps1. Identify where your residence is on the map.2. If you are in one of the coloured zones, you may be at risk from storm tide flooding during cyclones.3. Identify your evacuation route to your pre-determined safer location. For further information on evacuation visit council’swebsite www.townsville.qld.gov.au.4. During a cyclone event tune into warnings, authorities will advise which zones need to evacuate.Evacuation ZonesRED EVACUATION ZONE - INDICATES AREAS AT HIGHEST RISK OF FLOODING FROM CYCLONE STORM TIDE.ORANGE EVACUATION ZONE - INDICATES AREAS AT HIGH RISK OF FLOODING FROM CYCLONE STORM TIDE.YELLOW EVACUATION ZONE - INDICATES AREAS AT MODERATE RISK OF FLOODING FROM CYCLONE STORM TIDE.BLUE EVACUATION ZONE - INDICATES AREAS AT LOW RISK OF FLOODING FROM CYCLONE STORM TIDE.What do storm tide evacuation zones mean?Residents in the Red Zone face the highest risk of inundation from a cyclone storm tide. The Red Zone includes low-lying coastalareas and areas that may experience storm tide inundation up to approximately 1 metre above HAT.Residents in the Orange Zone face a high risk of inundation from a cyclone storm tide. The Orange Zone may experience stormtide inundation up to 1m above the top of the red zone (approximately 2 metres above HAT).Residents in the Yellow Zone face a moderate risk of inundation from a cyclone storm tide. The Yellow Zone may experiencestorm tide inundation at levels up to 2m above the top of the orange zone (approximately 2 to 4 metres above HAT).Residents in the Blue Zone face a low risk of inundation from a cyclone storm tide. The Blue Zone may experience storm tideinundation up to 2m above the top of the yellow zone (higher than approximately 4 metres above HAT).What is HAT?HAT stands for Highest Astronomical Tide. A HAT is comparable to a king tide. It is the highest level of water which can bepredicted to occur under any combination of astronomical conditions. BOM advices regarding storm tide will refer to a height(in metres) above HAT. Council will use this BOM information to advise which zones may be affected.What is an evacuation shelter?An evacuation shelter is a building, or part of a building, specifically designed and constructed to provide protection from windand debris during the passage of a severe tropical cyclone.Evacuation shelters are a safe place that will allow for seating and may not necessarily be capable of accommodating personsfor extended periods.Where possible, evacuees should be encouraged to seek shelter with family and friends in higher places outside the at risk area.If you are self evacuating and not be staying within a public shelter building, please register your location via the NationalRegistration and Inquiry System available on the Australian Red Cross website (N.B. this will be activated at the time of the pendingdisaster).5
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Page 7 and 8: Items to pack in your Emergency Kit
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Page 12 and 13: NORTH SHORE BLVDBANFIELD DRBUSHLAND
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STORM TIDE EVACUATION GUIDE - Townsville City Council

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