IGEM Report 1: 2017-18 - THE CYCLONE DEBBIE REVIEW

Inspector-General Emergency Management

Significant events Weather Weather Timeline of Queensland disaster events 22 March 2017 to 11 April 2017 March Weather disturbance developing off the eastern tip of PNG. Tropical depression formed drifting south. Declaration of critical incident. 22 24 Townsville, Burdekin, LDMG meet. Whitsunday LDMG lean forward.

Debbie makes landfall at Airlie Beach estimated as a Category 4 cyclone with forecast 185–265km/h wind gusts Reports of Debbie heavily impacting the Whitsunday and Mackay regional council areas.

Emergency Alert campaigns delivered to coastal areas in Palm Island, Townsville, Burdekin,

Whitsunday and Mackay shires.

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Debbie named and intensifies to Category 2. 2

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Downgraded Debbie moving south-southeast as a severe tropical low.

Debbie now Category 4 cyclone wit the strongest wind gusts reaching 225-280km per hour. Commercial flights at Townsville, Hamilton Island, Mackay and Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) airports ceased by 1400.

QFES DART commences Rapid Damage Assessments

Interstate assistance arrives from NSW and the ACT to support in RDA.

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SRC appointed.

SDCC activated.

Mackay Airport reopens.

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Stand up of Mackay DDMG.

State deployment of QFES damage assessment teams.

Debbie downgraded to a Category 3 cyclone by afternoon.

Stand up of Townsville DDMG and Whitsunday LDMG.

Stand up of Townsville LDMG.

Over 7,000 customers with Telstra fixed phone line disruptions.

Food supplies commence.

Queensland Government closes schools from Ayr to Proserpine.

1,699 people evacuated from Ayr, Bowen, Cleveland Palms, Cungulla, Hamilton Island, Home Hill, Hook Island, Long Island, Palm Island, Proserpine, and South Molle Island.

Over 65,000 customers in North Queensland without power.

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The Cyclone Debbie Review

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