A fictional severe tropical cyclone and widespread flooding spurred Cairns' disaster response agencies into action today.
The Cairns Regional Council's Disaster Coordination Centre has become a hub of activity as part of an annual training exercise designed to prepare relevant agencies for a natural disaster.
Under today's scenario, the region is subject to widespread flooding following three days of intense rainfall associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Genesis. The exercise will simulate evacuation of affected residents and logistical requirements for running evacuation facilities.
Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Cr Terry James, said Exercise Genesis would assist in defining roles and responsibilities, should a real disaster threaten the area.
"We will go through the steps of activating the Disaster Coordination Centre and forming a multi-agency disaster response unit," Cr James said.
"Participants will assume the roles they would take in a real disaster situation and carry out duties in accordance with a disaster scenario.
"Only a couple of days ago the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that Queensland is in a La Niña phase, predicting wetter than average conditions and a higher likelihood of tropical cyclones.
"Based on this prediction, a flooding scenario resulting from an ex-tropical cyclone is an appropriate scenario for preparing for the wet season."
Cr James said the exercise served as a timely reminder to residents that they need to prepare for possible flooding and cyclone events, and importantly consider where they will stay during an emergency.
"Firstly, people need to know the risk that their property will be impacted by flooding or storm surge," Cr James said.
"People can then decide whether their home is safe, or if they will need to evacuate depending on the emergency.
"While Council has evacuation centres which provide basic facilities during an emergency, COVID-19 restrictions have added some additional challenges to their limited capacity.
"Wherever possible, residents should make arrangements now to stay with family or friends, rather than potentially spending 18 hours locked down in an evacuation facility."
