By Hollie Harris
An evacuation centre is now open on the Sunshine Coast should people require emergency shelter.
Caloundra Indoor Stadium is the primary evacuation centre, with bedding and Red Cross staff available.
Maroochydore Basketball Stadium has been placed on standby as a secondary place of shelter, if needed.
The State Government has directed that all Sunshine Coast schools remain closed on Friday 31 March.
The Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) co-ordinator Andrew Ryan continues to advise against all unnecessary travel.
“The evacuation centre is there for people who expect their homes to be inundated or who may be faced with road closures and cut off from getting home,” Mr Ryan said.
“Everyone else should stay off the roads. If travel is absolutely necessary, please remember to never drive through flood waters.
“Even if it doesn’t look too bad, do not take the risk – you never know what the condition of the road is under the flood waters or how deep they are.”
There are now 48 roads on the Sunshine Coast closed, with further heavy rainfall expected this afternoon and tonight. Road closures continue to be updated on Disaster Hub at www.disaster.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
All Resource Recovery Centres will close at 3pm today to ensure staff are able to safely return home. Operations at Nambour and Caloundra landfills will continue as normal at this stage.
Kerbside collection services will also continue as normal.
The LDMG continues to remain activated today and advises to:
* Avoid unnecessary travel on Thursday, due to expected hazardous road conditions. If travel is unavoidable, remember to never drive through flood waters.
* Visit council’s Disaster Hub at www.disaster.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for all the information you need to be prepared before, during and after severe weather including how to plan an emergency kit, weather warnings, road closures, airport information and news updates.
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
For assistance call SES 132500. Triple-zero (000) for emergencies.
Further updates will be issued as required, until the weather system no longer poses a threat to our region.
