Douglas Disaster Information

08/10/2026

𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨-𝐝𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧. 🌪️🏡

🏠 Clean gutters and downpipes.
🔧 Repair any loose fittings and broken seals around windows.
🌳 Trim trees and branches (be careful of powerlines ⚡).
🏗️ Secure large, loose items around your home.
📄 Check your insurance is up to date and provides suitable coverage.
⚡Make sure you know where and how to turn off the main supply for water, power, and gas.
🏘️ If renting, let your property manager know about maintenance issues now.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Don’t forget to check on neighbours and family to see if they need a hand.

For information about home preparation, head to 👉 https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/getting-ready/protect-your-home

07/10/2026

Winds caused by cyclones are powerful enough to break large trees, roll over sea containers, and blow away unsecured caravans, garden sheds and shelters.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰.
To do:
• Have your Household Severe Weather Emergency Plan ready. Make your plan at www.getready.qld.gov.au/plan

• Pack a kit – Pack your emergency kit with enough supplies to last at least three days, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

For more info head to www.getready.qld.gov.au

06/10/2026

Having an emergency kit means you and your family can stay safe at home for several days if roads are blocked or power is out.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤:
✅ Long life food & water for at least three days, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
✅ Medications & first aid kit
✅ Important documents (stored in a waterproof bag)
✅ Torches & spare batteries
✅ Phone charger & power banks
✅ Radio (to stay updated if the power goes out)
✅ Clothing & sturdy shoes
✅ Cash (ATMs and EFTPOS may be down)
✅ Pet food & supplies

🚗 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚:
👉 Know where you’ll go if you need to evacuate
👉 Pack your car early and fill up the tank
👉 Move valuables to higher ground

📌 For more info: www.getready.qld.gov.au/emergencykit

05/10/2026

⚠️ 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲?

As part of this year's Get Ready Queensland campaign, Mayor Lisa Scomazzon is encouraging residents to take simple steps now to prepare for the season ahead.

🏠 Know your risks
📝 Make a plan
🎒 Pack a kit
🔨 Protect your home

And don't forget your most important preparedness tool:

📲 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐈𝐓 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩.
Using your current location, the app links you directly to the most relevant disaster dashboard information, helping you stay informed about warnings, road closures, emergency updates and local conditions.

01/10/2026

We need your input! Complete the surveys or join the drop-in sessions to share your knowledge on flooding in Wonga Beach, and Port Douglas & Craiglie.

🌧️ Have Your Say on Local Flood Studies

Do you have photos, videos or firsthand experience of flooding in Wonga Beach, Port Douglas or Craiglie?

Your local knowledge plays a vital role in shaping future planning, disaster management and flood mitigation options.

📸 The more detail, the better! We encourage residents to share photos, videos, observations and any information about drainage issues, flood depths, road impacts or areas affected during past events.

✅ Online surveys are now open for both flood studies
✅ Share your experience anytime online or
✅ Attend a community drop-in session and speak directly with the project team

Visit the links below to learn more and complete the surveys:
⬇️ Wonga Beach Flood Study Review
https://douglas.qld.gov.au/have-your-say-wonga-beach-flood-study-assessment-community-input-opportunity/

⬇️ Port Douglas & Craiglie Flood Study
https://douglas.qld.gov.au/have-your-say-port-douglas-and-craiglie-flood-study/

30/09/2026

14/09/2026

Why are some years hotter, drier or wetter than others? El Niño and La Niña could be part of the answer. 🤔

El Niño typically occurs every 3 to 5 years, when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific are warmer than average. In Australia, it is associated with hotter and drier conditions, increasing the risk of drought, heatwaves and bushfires. Australia is currently experiencing El Niño, which is expected to strengthen into the warmer months. ☀️

La Niña typically occurs every 3 to 7 years, when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific are cooler than average. In Australia, it is associated with cooler conditions, increasing rainfall and the likelihood of flooding. 🌦️

It’s important to remember that in Australia, disasters like flooding, bushfires, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, and storms can occur at any time, but they are more likely to occur between October and April. We call this Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS).⚠️

Communities should understand their local risks, monitor official warnings, and update their emergency plans to prepare for HRWS.

To learn more about the difference between El Niño and La Niña, and how you can prepare for HRWS, visit the link in our comments. 🔗

25/08/2026

At today’s Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillor Michael Joseph Rees shared a heartfelt reminder about the power of volunteering — especially in the disaster space.

With councillors who bring decades of hands‑on experience, from policing to fire rescue to SES, our community is supported by people who don’t just sit in a room making decisions — they’re out there on roofs, in evacuation centres, and working alongside emergency crews when it matters most.

Cr Rees reflected on conversations after Cyclone Jasper, where many locals said they felt helpless. His message today was simple:
Volunteering is one of the quickest ways to feel useful, connected, and confident during disasters.

Local volunteer organisations — Mossman Area SES Unit, Qld State Emergency Service, Rural Fire, Fire & Rescue, and others — are always looking for new members. You’ll receive free training, learn practical skills, and become part of a team that makes a real difference when our community needs it most.

If you’ve ever wanted to add a little more meaning to your week, or wondered how you can help during emergencies, volunteering might be the perfect place to start.

Let’s keep building a strong, skilled and supported Douglas Shire. 💛💪

16/07/2026

An AusAlert national test alert will be sent to compatible mobile devices across Australia on Monday 27 July 2026, at around 2:00 pm AEST.
The test will help confirm AusAlert is operating as expected ahead of its launch in October 2026.

13/07/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring: Disaster Resilience Officer
Maximum Term to April 2027

Douglas Shire Council is looking for a motivated, community‑minded Disaster Resilience Officer to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across our region. If you’re calm under pressure, great with people, and love turning plans into real‑world action, this role is for you.

You’ll use your project management and stakeholder engagement skills to deliver initiatives that boost emergency readiness for Council and the community. The role includes identifying critical functions, improving business continuity, coordinating activities, building practical tools and plans, and exercising strong professional judgement with plenty of autonomy.

📅 Applications close: 5pm Friday 17 July 2026
👇 Learn more and apply on our website.

Our Disaster Management Team are seeking a self-motivated and engaging Disaster Resilience Officer to join the team for a Maximum Term to April 2027.