TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
YOUR ONLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE
Service Centre Locations CALL:  1300 878 001

Townsville City Council website is currently offline

Unfortunately, the website is currently running with limited functionality. This may be due to scheduled maintenance, or an unplanned outage. We are aware of the problem and are working towards rectifying it.

For any urgent issues please contact Council on 1300 878 001 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or (07) 4727 8999 after hours, or simply try again later.

Although the site is offline, the following important information can still be accessed:

Cyclone Information

The Warning System

The general name given to cyclone watch and warning messages is an "Advice" or "Tropical Cyclone Advice". The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre issues these messages and liaises with the Police, State, and Territory Emergency Services and the media to make sure the public are aware of what's happening. Tropical cyclones develop from tropical depressions and are formally designated as named tropical cyclones when winds of at least gale force have developed. The name given to a system at this time is used throughout its life.

48 hours prior to a cyclone potentially en-dangering life or property of coastal or island communities, the Bureau of Meteorology will activate a public warning system. A tropical cyclone or developing depression that does not threaten any coastal or island communities will be mentioned only in the Bureau's weather notes and in advice to shipping and aviation. For more information please read Surviving Cyclones by the Bureau of Meteorology.

A Cyclone Watch

A cyclone watch is issued if a cyclone or potential cyclone exists and there are strong indications that winds above gale force will affect coastal or island communities within 24 to 48 hours of issue. The message contains a brief estimate of the cyclone's location, intensity, severity category and movement and identifies the coastal areas which could be affected. Cyclone watch messages are renewed every six hours.

A Cyclone Warning

A cyclone warning is issued as soon as gales or stronger winds are expected to affect coastal or island communities within 24 hours. It identifies the communities being threatened and contains the cyclone's name, its location, intensity, and its movements. Forecasts of heavy rainfall, flooding and abnormally high tides are included when necessary. Communities under threat are also advised to take precautions necessary to safeguard their lives and property. Cyclone warnings are issued every three hours.

When a cyclone is under radar surveillance close to the coast and poses a severe threat, hourly advices are issued.

A tropical cyclone advice is prefixed "FLASH" when it is the first warning to a community not previously alerted by a cyclone watch. It is also issued when major changes are made to the previous warnings, due for example, to unexpected movement towards the coast or rapid intensification.

Local Government Emergency Co-ordination Centre

During a cyclone (or any disaster), the Local Government Emergency Co-ordination Centre will be in operation. Co-ordination of all problems within Townsville will be carried out from this centre.

Local radio stations will advise when the Emergency Co-ordination centre is in operation. Telephone operators at the centre will take your calls and assistance may be given depending on the problem.

Things to do once a Cyclone warning is issued

Cyclone is 24 hours away:

  • Fill water buckets and cover them.
  • Top up your car's fuel tank.
  • Ensure you have fresh batteries for your radio.
  • Make sure you have adequate supplies of prescribed medicine.
  • Stock up on non perishable food items if required.
  • Ensure your neighbours are aware of the issued warning.

Cyclone is 16 hours away:

  • Listen to the media for regular updates.
  • Ensure your children are home.
  • Gather tools that will be needed for emergency repairs. eg. hammer, nails, rope, and tarpaulins.
  • If you live in a caravan, identify a solid structure to which you can move if required.

Cyclone is 9 hours away:

  • Prepare the safest part of your house (usually the bathroom) and place emergency stores there.
  • Account for and lock up your pets (see Managing Your Pets in Disasters).
  • Gather protective gear and place in shelter.

Cyclone is 6 hours away:

  • Listen to the media for regular updates.
  • If you use gas, turn if off at the bottle.
  • Stay in a safe place, don't move.
  • Do not make unnecessary demands on the emergency services.
  • Beware of the calm "eye" of the cyclone and do not go outside until you are advised to do so.

Once the Cyclone has passed

  • Listen to the media for regular updates.
  • Do not make unnecessary demands on the emergency services.
  • Do not touch wet switches, and beware of fallen power lines, treat them as if they are live.
  • Do not drink water that could be contaminated.
  • Stay at home; resist the urge to go sightseeing. The water surge caused by your vehicle can send flood water into people's homes.

If a cyclone comes, it is strongly advised that you stay in a safe place, listen to the radio and abide by the instructions issued by the media. But move early; remember that most injuries and fatalities in cyclones result from people being hit by flying debris while outside in high winds. Outside movement becomes both difficult and dangerous once wind gusts exceed 85km/h and should cease once gusts exceed 100km/h.

If you feel your house/shelter is not safe, see if you can shelter in a neighbour's house or move to the community emergency centre as advised by the radio. Check to see that your neighbours, in particular those who are elderly, have disabilities, or are living alone, are safe.

The following emergency service phone numbers should only be used in an emergency during or after a cyclone. In a life threatening emergency call 000.

  • POLICE - 4759 9777
  • AMBULANCE - 4725 6499
  • HOSPITAL - 4796 1111
  • FIRE BRIGADE - 4771 2111
  • ELECTRICITY - 13 10 46