Hazards - Know your risks

With almost 100 kms of coastline, the Bundaberg region is vulnerable to coastal inundation. i.e. when sea water rises high enough that it floods infrastructure and buildings or endangers people’s safety. Coastal inundation and can be caused by:

• Storm surge – a rise above the normal water level along a shore resulting from strong onshore winds and/or reduced atmospheric pressure. Usually caused as a cyclone reaches the coast, the huge winds whip up the sea and push the dome of water over low-lying coastal areas. The waves and sea water can move inland quickly, damaging buildings and cutting off escape routes. 
• The combination of storm surge and normal (astronomical) tide is known as Storm tide. The worst impacts occur when the storm surge arrives on top of a high tide and when this happens, the storm tide can reach areas that might otherwise have been safe.
• While storm surges and storm tide are generated by weather systems forcing water onshore, it is generally over a limited stretch of coastline. Tsunami - a series of powerful, fast-moving waves usually associated with earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions, explosion or other ocean disturbance can affect vast lengths of coastal land.

What are the local risks?

The Bundaberg Region is at risk of being impacted by cyclones during ‘cyclone season’ which officially runs from November to April, with several low-lying coastal areas at risk from storm surge and storm tide. Storm tide evacuation maps have been created for coastal communities within the Bundaberg region so you can check your risk.

There is little recorded history of tsunami in Australia. Tsunami is a low risk, high consequence hazard for the Bundaberg region and it is expected the Great Barrier Reef could reduce tsunami risk, however unpredictable local effects should not be discounted. Council provides Tsunami Inundation Mapping so you can prepare if you live in a coastal area that potentially could be affected by tsunami.

Warnings

Advice on possible storm sturges and storm tides are included in cyclone warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre detects and verifies any tsunami threat to the coastline of Australia and provides warnings. Warnings will then be relayed via official channels.

If a warning is issued - follow instructions immediately!

How to prepare

• Know your Evacuation zone and evacuation route
• Listen for Warnings and alerts
• Prepare your emergency plan, emergency kit, evacuation kit
• Prepare your home
• Prepare your business
• Prepare your pets
• Get to know your neighbours

After an event

DO NOT ENTER FLOODWATERS - IF IT'S FLOODED FORGET IT!

• Pay attention to all warnings.
• Do not go outside until officially advised it is safe.
• If you have evacuated, do not return home until officially advised it is safe. 
• Beware damaged power lines, bridges and trees.
• Do not enter flood waters.
• Do not go sightseeing.
• Check and offer help to neighbours, friends and family.