Building community resilience

One year on from the 2010–2011 summer of natural disasters, community connect looks at how Queensland communities are recovering and how to prepare for the upcoming storm and cyclone season.

Preparation leads post-flood work

As Queensland prepares for another summer storm and cyclone season, all levels of government are finalising their plans to make communities better prepared to deal with what nature can throw
at us.

Department of Communities’ director of Community Recovery Operations Phil Carney says the goal is to ensure towns and cities throughout the state can respond effectively during and after a disaster.

“Seventeen of the worst hit local government areas have engaged community development officers who are leading the recovery, and assisting in planning for future disaster preparedness,” Phil says.

“All levels of government have provided funds for community events, projects, memorials and other programs to help people in their emotional journey to recovery.

“We’ve got district community recovery groups that are in the process of re-writing community recovery plans. We also have people focused on how we deal with the human and social aspects of the aftermath of disasters.

“One beneficial thing that came from last summer was learning how to better utilise the generous and spontaneous support offered by volunteers and donors. It’s something that got many people through their hardest times and helped us as a community to get back to where we are so quickly.”

Phil says a benefit of having recovery plans is to build stronger and more resilient and caring communities — plans that have long term benefits such as building mental health, community capacity, productivity and hope.

“Long after the flood waters have receded, we are still working on rebuilding communities and improving our response to whatever disaster may befall us,” Phil says.

Visit the Community Recovery webpage for more information on Community Recovery, Queensland floods and cyclones.

Are you prepared?

Could you and your family survive three days of isolation at home if summer storms cut roads, power and water?

Does your family have an emergency plan in case of a major natural disaster such as severe storm, tsunami, flood or cyclone?

The SES Get Ready Guide explains the types of natural disasters and how you should prepare for them. It is packed full of vital emergency information, including:

• preparing a household emergency plan
• what to include in a household emergency kit
• preparing your home for storms, cyclone or flood
• tuning into warnings.

Visit Disaster Management to download the guide or find information in a range of languages on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, including how to stay informed via traditional and social media.

Things to do now to prepare for storm season:

• prepare an emergency kit
• trim tree branches clear of your house
• clean your roof, gutters and downpipes
• identify loose objects in your yard to be put away
• check your insurance policy for flood cover
• familiarise yourself with flood warning classifications and where to find information, your local council is a good place to start.

Let people know you are safe during a disaster

During a natural disaster, Australian Red Cross sets up the National Registration and Inquiry System (NRIS) for people who have been relocated.

If you are forced to leave home because of a natural disaster, make sure your name is included on the register so relatives and friends can find you much sooner. 

During an emergency you can register your details over the phone. The media will promote the phone number to call.

Did you know? 

Last summer, more than 25,000 people registered or enquired about the Queensland flood disasters through the NRIS.