When the weather turns, will you be prepared?
WET SEASON PREP
BUSINESS FEATURE
Before the first wet season raindrop falls in the Douglas Shire, a quiet operation is already underway. The Douglas Disaster Management Unit (DMU) is coordinating, testing, and preparing so our community can face the season with confidence.
Preparing for the severe weather season, which runs from 1 November to 30 April, isn’t just the Council’s responsibility, it’s something everyone has a role in.
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But having a dedicated, trained team on standby makes a huge difference, and that’s exactly what the DMU provides.
As Council’s in-house disaster team, the DMU plans and coordinates year-round to make sure there’s a clear, organised system ready when emergencies strike.
Flood forecasting
One of the DMU’s major priorities this season is flood modelling and forecasting.
Council has refreshed flood maps across several communities. Updated or newly developed modelling is now available for Mossman, Degarra, and Wonga Beach, while new modelling for the Daintree River and the Port Douglas/Craiglie areas is planned for the new year.
To help residents understand the data, Council is also running information sessions, showing where water might flow, how high it could rise, and what actions to take to stay safe.
Alongside this, the DMU is upgrading early warning systems, with new flood cameras, low-cost drainage sensors in at-risk streets, and an anemometer to measure wind speed, temperature, and barometric pressure in Port Douglas.
Upgrades to the Douglas Dashboard and Foresight Flood Forecasting system, now including the Bloomfield River, are complete, and a trial of the State Disaster Coordination Centre’s FloodMapp system is underway.
New cameras, including at Junction Bridge, and flash flood monitoring devices are being rolled out this season, all feeding into the Dashboard for real-time monitoring.
A large part of this work also involves preparing local community groups for the high-risk weather season, alongside implementing the Shire’s recovery and resilience plans.
Preparation at your fingertips
When it comes to getting ready for the wet season on a personal level, you don’t have to start from scratch.
The Douglas Shire Council website has everything you need to prepare on its Disaster Management and Preparedness page.
A great place to start is the Douglas Disaster Dashboard, your go-to hub for real-time emergency updates. It shows weather warnings, road conditions, power outages, live flood camera feeds, local sandbag stations, and, during an event, information on Places of Refuge.
Storm-tide evacuation zones are also mapped on the Dashboard, highlighting areas at moderate (yellow), high (orange), and highest (red) risk of coastal flooding. Residents should check if they live in these zones and plan accordingly.
You’ll also find practical guides for emergency plans, property preparation, and evacuation kits.
With all this information at hand, getting ready for the wet season is made easier, and every step you take helps make the Douglas community stronger and more resilient.
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