WEIPA DISASTER MANAGEMENT

EMERGENCY CYCLONE

PROCEDURES

2007 - 2008

Planning beforehand the action necessary to counteract effects of a cyclone can reduce the sometimes-disastrous results of a cyclonic emergency.

This manual has been prepared with this objective in mind.

The basic requirement is to ensure that, as a community, we minimise personal injury and damage to property and this is achieved by:

1. Community involvement and care.

2. Adequate warning and pre-cyclone preparation.

3. Public instruction and good sense.

4. An effective organisation, flexible enough to function under disaster or pre-disaster conditions.

BASIC WEIPA ORGANISATION

The Weipa Disaster Management Group is the authority in Weipa in the event of a disaster situation.

A Weipa Cyclone Control Centre will be established and operated throughout a cyclone emergency. This control centre will be located at the Weipa Police Station.

The organisation for Weipa is set out on the following pages.

This condition will be called when the Bureau of Meteorology has advised that there is a cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria and there is a POSSIBILITY it may continue towards Weipa, or if the Chairperson of the Weipa Disaster Management Group believes it prudent to initiate a warning. A similar warning can be issued for cyclones approaching across land from the Coral Sea.

This condition means the cyclone has maintained a course towards Weipa with Bureau Of Meteorology advice being that it will be unlikely to alter its course. .

Detailed clean up to start and all emergency services checked and made ready. It is essential that in carrying out the pre-planned procedures an intelligent assessment should be made of any unforeseen hazards and corrective action taken accordingly.

First part of a two stage warning indicating that cyclone conditions are imminent. Weather conditions have deteriorated with wind activity and rain increasing. Condition red over-rules any of the prior conditions.

Final battening down commences. All personnel, except those detailed for emergency duty, are sent home.

Second part of this warning condition. It is now unsafe for personnel other than emergency crews to be outside without the approval of the Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.

Emergency service personnel only in area. Stay under cover to reduce risk of injury.

Assessment of damage and the re-establishment of civil operations.

The following signs will be erected by Town Office on advice from the Weipa Cyclone Control Centre at the beginning of each Condition.

CONDITION YELLOW
CONDITION YELLOW INITIAL WARNING CYCLONE CONDITIONS APPROACHING		This sign will be the first to appear and will indicate to the community that deteriorating weather conditions can be expected.
CONDITION BLUE
CONDITION BLUE CYCLONE CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY		This sign will be displayed at the beginning of CONDITION BLUE Final preparations for the effects of a cyclone should be under way at all commercial premises. At home last minute items should have been obtained and all loose items secured.
CONDITION RED
CONDITION RED CYCLONE IN THE AREA STAY UNDER COVER		This sign will indicate the start of CONDITION RED. For safety reasons this sign will not change from this stage until Condition Green is declared. Every person not required for emergencies or vital tasks should be inside. High wind gusts can be expected to appear and increase.
CONDITION GREEN
CONDITION GREEN CYCLONE LEAVING THE AREA		The displaying of this sign will only occur after CONDITION GREEN has been declared and it is considered safe for essential personnel to venture outside. The Condition can remain in force for some time.

Signs will be displayed at these locations: Nanum Centre

Pedestrian Crossing at House on the Hill

Evans Landing

Boundary Road

Cyclone maps are included in this booklet and all Queensland telephone books. When plotting cyclone positions on a tracking map, residents in affected areas should keep in mind that a cyclone is not just a point on a map but can cover an area hundreds of kilometres in diameter. The destructive winds around the eye can extend out to 100 kilometres from the centre and may affect coastal communities many hours before the cyclone reaches the coast. All warning details will be in metric.

Radar Equipment

Meteorologists in the Brisbane tropical cyclone warning centre will have direct displays of information from weather watch radars at Gove, Weipa and Cairns. The Gove and Weipa radars cover the northern half of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Weipa radar also provides coverage across Cape York Peninsula and into the Coral Sea.

The Cyclone Siren

The bureau will advise radio and television stations when to use the cyclone siren. At the outset of each cyclone event all stations will be reminded that the siren should precede all advices being broadcast to areas covered by top priority advices.

The siren should only be broadcast to communities where at least destructive winds are expected within 12 hours. Stations networked together on relay will be asked to isolate their services so that the siren is not broadcasted to localities that are not under any serious and imminent threat.

LOCATION: POLICE STATION

CONTACT NUMBER: 4069 9119 (Has Four Lines)

Manned during BLUE, RED and GREEN Conditions

LEADER: Chairperson of the Weipa Disaster Management Group

1. Coordinator of Emergency Services Groups

Upon the Chairperson of the Weipa Disaster Management Group declaring Condition Yellow the Town CEO will call a meeting of the group to be held at the Weipa Cyclone Control Centre (Weipa Police Station)

2. The Weipa Cyclone Control Centre

The Weipa Cyclone Control Centre shall co-ordinate all activities throughout the period of emergency, that is, until all services and operations return to normal. Start time for manning the Control Centre will be decided by the Chairperson. This will normally mean activation in CONDITION BLUE and manning from CONDITION RED.

Those listed at the following 'conditions' will man the Weipa Cyclone Control Centre:

Chair Person Weipa Disaster Management Group Red (both parts), and Green

Town CEO & Staff Blue (as required), Red (both parts), and Green

Senior Police Officer & Required Staff Blue, Red (both parts), and Green

RTA-W General Manager (or Delegate) ,Red (both parts), and Green

S.E.S. Local controller (or delegate) Blue (as required), Red (both parts), and Green

Ambulance Officer Red (both parts), and Green

Defence Person Red (both parts), and Green

3. Communications

External: Telecom landline

Fax (Police Station and Comalco)

Internet

Telecom Emergency HF transmitter at Weipa

VHF point-to-point

Vehicle 2-way radio network

ABC 4WP radio

There are three (3) radio networks set up in the Weipa Cyclone Control Centre (WCCC) for cyclone emergency. Each set-up is to perform an allocated function. The list is as follows:

1. Trunking Network

2. Remote control of 4WP ABC Broadcast Station

3. HF Receiver YAESU for news and weather

Item one The above radio networks will be checked by Telecom Communications contractors in CONDITION YELLOW to ensure proper operation of networks.

Item two on the list is a landline remote, which operates the Weipa ABC radio station 4WP. It will be connected and tested for the cyclone season by Telecom technicians. This set-up is to be used by a person nominated by the Weipa Cyclone Control Centre to announce to the Weipa public at large, of the existing cyclone situation, i.e. the condition that we are currently in.

Item three on the list is a broadcast receiver, which is used to monitor Brisbane weather reports. This unit is subject to propagation changes in the ionosphere, which means that from time to time communication may not be possible, therefore the night and day receiver frequency will vary. The day frequency is VLQ 9660 kHz (AM), and night, VLM 4920 kHz (AM). The power output of those stations is only 10 kW and both are located in Brisbane. News and weather are transmitted at 6.00 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 7.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. Detailed weather is transmitted at 12 minutes to 2.00 p.m. Both stations generally close at 12.00 p.m. At the time of a cyclone in Queensland, they would continue to transmit until the danger is over. If a cyclone is present in the Gulf of Carpentaria, it is also possible to receive OTC Australian Coastal Surveillance Centre on 4428.7 kHz, Thursday Island Radio SSB (Night Frequency). This station also transmits weather bulletins. It is important to remember that at times, due to solar activity and time of day, none of the above mentioned frequencies would be of any use to us, as it will be impossible to receive them. All that will be heard is a lot of static noise.

4. Cyclone Evacuation Centres

Cyclone Evacuation Centres containing cyclone emergency food kits are at the Uniting Church - for Town Residents (spare key at Town Office) and the Rocky Point Mess - for SPQ Residents.

Contractors Camp Evans Landing Cyclone Evacuation Centre is SPQ until further notice.

TOWN OFFICE

LEADER: TOWN CEO

STAND-IN: Director Corporate and Financial Services

NO	ITEM	CONDITION
		Y	B	R	R	G
	CONDITION YELLOW - ATTACH SIGNS
1.	Attend meeting of the Weipa Disaster Management Group at the Police Station.	*
2.	Advise Pre-School, School, Cape Kids Childcare Centre, Hospital and Shopping Centres, Caravan Park, Service Stations and Fuel Depot that we are in Condition Yellow and that they should listen to the radio for future change.	*
3.	Contractor contact to ring contractors under their control and advise situation.	*
4.	Pool covers	*
5.	Arrange with local contractor to have small loader placed on standby.	*
6.	Liaise with Electrical Distribution Supervisor for Generator to be on hand for emergency power to water supply.	*
7.	Close library and cover books.	*
8.	Oversee status of Evacuation Centre	*
	CONDITION BLUE - ATTACH SIGNS	*
9.	Advise Schools, Cape Kids Childcare Centre, and Shopping Centres, Caravan Park, Service Stations and Fuel Depot when they should send people home.
10.	Signage to tune into radio station
11.	Cover electronic equipment in offices with Visqueen.
12.	Check all vehicles for fuel, oil and water.		*
13.	Request any necessary assistance from Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.		*
14.	Report to Weipa Cyclone Control Centre on progress in Town area of responsibility.		*
	CONDITION RED - ATTACH SIGNS		*
15.	Contact Weipa Cyclone Control Centre before sending people home.
16.	Town CEO to Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.			*
17. 18.	Advise key stakeholders of change of conditions Staff levels for control centre to be controlled by CEO.			*
	CONDITION GREEN			*
19.	Personnel to report to Police Station.
20.	Check for damage and/or casualties and transmit to Weipa/Cyclone Control Centre.					*

WEIPA CYCLONE CONTROL CENTRE LOCATED IS AT THE POLICE STATION. THERE IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT THAT BOTH PLANT AND TOWN SHOULD ALWAYS BE AT THE SAME DEGREE OF READINESS.

Condition

Legend:

Y

Yellow

B

Blue

R

Red

R

Red - Cyclone in Area

G

Green

TOWN - REQUIREMENTS

CONDITION YELLOW

1. Condition Yellow signs to be placed at listed locations.

2. Inspect and check all areas especially housing and accommodation areas for general yard safety - general inspection

3. Ensure all keys to all public buildings are tagged and available at Town Office.

4. Advise all contractors to check their grounds and areas of responsibility for loose and/or potential missiles.

5. Request contractors to remove pool shade cover.

6. Inspect and arrange general clean up of roads and drains. Ensure all culverts are running freely.

7. Check all roads for flooding and close off if necessary.

8. Close Library and cover books.

9. Check all vehicles for fuel, oil and water.

10. Contact Rio Tinto electrical to arrange generator for the Evacuation Centre and water tower.

CONDITION BLUE

1. Raise Condition Blue signs.

2. Check all public buildings, close windows and lock doors.

3. Arrange help in battening down houses of those employees who are required to remain at work during Condition Yellow and Condition Blue.

4. Close pool. Turn off all power.

5. Cover electronic equipment in offices with Visqueen.

6. Clear all portable signs, drums and barricades from roadways.

7. A supply of lights, signs and barricades, chainsaws, lashed onto a truck is to be located at a nominated location. Request to contractor.

8. Contact Weipa Cyclone Control Centre to see if help is required from other sections.

CONDITION RED

1. Raise Condition Red signs.

2. Contact Weipa Cyclone Control Centre before sending personnel home.

3. Arrange personnel to support Administration at Weipa Cyclone Control Centre

CONDITION RED

CYCLONE IN AREA

CONDITION GREEN

1. Personnel to report to Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.

2. Check damage and report to Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.

3. Arrange suitable personnel with vehicles to survey damage and report to Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.

4. Arrange personnel to support administration at Weipa Cyclone Control Centre.