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

The Cyclone Debbie Review

The three concurrent events

Our discussion about the experience of Debbie considers the challenges for communities, disaster management groups and practitioners in preparing for, responding to and recovering from an event that has cascading and concurrent impacts. Initially the focus of Debbie was on the north as communities in Whitsunday and Mackay were significantly impacted by the cyclone and the risk of storm surge and flooding. As Debbie dissipated from a severe tropical cyclone it tracked south resulting in torrential rainfall and strong winds. The consequences were sequential: rapid- onset flooding, predominantly in Logan, Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim; and the much slower rise of the Fitzroy River, resulting in flooding across its catchment.

Overall the disaster management system met these challenges and demonstrated the agility and capability required to address emergent needs. On the following pages is a matrix of the statewide activations to meet the unfolding events. The LDMGs are listed first, in geographical sequence from north to south, then east to west to broadly accord with Debbie’s track and the affected areas. The DDMGs sit beneath this data, arranged in the same sequence, with state-level oversight underlying all.

North Queensland

State-level operations

Central Queensland

South East Queensland

Damage to Shute Harbour. Photo courtesy of ABC News – Dan Peled

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4 THE THREE CONCURRENT EVENTS

Map: Debbie’s track and geographical impact