Preparing for Cyclone Yasi

Mission Australia’s thoughts are with the individuals, families and communities that are in the path of Cyclone Yasi – including our staff members and clients from our eight local services.

Authorities have urged North Queensland residents to stay calm and listen to safety advice as the storm moves in. It is also important that people stay off the roads, turn off their electricity and gas, unplug appliances and fill bathtubs with water.

Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said mattresses and pillows should be kept close by. He said the smallest room (usually a laundry or bathroom) is often the safest.

This afternoon AMA Queensland President Dr Gino Pecoraro highlighted the importance of explaining to children what the storm is expected to do over the next 24 hours.

He said children should be warned to expect the loud noise of cyclonic winds. Their favourite music - listened to via headphones - as well as board games, puzzles and crosswords could help provide a comforting and familiar distraction.

Families should also have a first-aid kit at hand, containing all medications currently being taken, including any unfilled prescriptions. Preparations should include a battery-operated radio to listen to emergency broadcasts and a torch.

TV and radio transmission interruptions may occur. Reliable broadcasts are available on short wave radio at 9710kHz during the day and 6080kHz by night.

Those not heading to community shelters should have food on hand that does not need refrigeration. People in need of emotional support can call Lifeline 24 hours on 13 11 14, Mensline Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

For more information visit this link at SMH online

Useful resources

• The ABC is providing excellent coverage and information about emergency procedures. For more information visit abc.net.au/emergency/cyclone/yasi
• According to ABC reports this afternoon, evacuation centres in the Cairns region are at capacity. For a list of North Queensland evacuation centres please click here
• People who have left their homes and have nowhere to go should call 1300 99 31 91 for help in finding emergency accommodation.
• The Bureau of Meteorology site, contains a Tropical Cyclone Forecast Map, which indicates the proximity and strength of Yasi.
• The Google Crisis Response Page is another good resource, featuring maps, contacts and links to news reports.

Emergency contacts
Call the State Emergency Services on 132 500 or for life-threatening emergencies call 000.

Post-flood advice and information

Mission Australia appreciates many of you in flood-affected will be bombarded by post-flood information. However, if you are having difficulty accessing information due to high demand, we hope the following advice is beneficial.

Health and safety

• The priority in flooded areas is opening roads and clearing debris so people can safely re-enter homes and businesses. Wait until transport routes are open before heading off of any journey.
• Be careful with electricity. Before cleaning, ensure gas and electricity is off. Get an electrician to clear your home of danger before using electrical equipment. To report fallen powerlines, call Energex on 13 19 62.
• Wear rubber gloves and water-resistant clothing, including gumboots, goggles or a face mask. Cover any open wounds before cleaning and watch out for snakes.
• Ventilate your home while cleaning. Also throw out food that may have come into contact with floodwaters or perishables spoiled due to power cuts.
• Queensland Urban Utilities has advised that water in Brisbane is safe to drink. However, floodwater is unsafe, being contaminated with chemicals and sewerage, so do not enter it. 

Waste collection and other services

• Brisbane City Council will provide industrial bins and a kerbside collection for damaged goods once floodwaters recede – locations and times to be advised. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au is a good resource but due to high demand currently displays as a low-bandwidth version.
• If you are in Brisbane, call Council on 3403 8888 to report issues outside your property such as fallen trees, potholes or road debris. For help with extensive damage call the SES on 132 500.
• For information on public transport, visit www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30. Updated information can also be found at www.qld.gov.au/floods/ or www.abc.net.au/emergency/flood/
• Insurance and banking:
• Do not be concerned if insurance documents have been lost or damaged in the flood. Insurance companies keep electronic records and only a name and address.
• Remove water and mud-damaged possessions. Carpets and soft furnishings can be disposed of as part of your clean-up. If possible, take photos or make an inventory of damaged items before removing. Contact your insurer before authorising repairs.
• Call 1300 728 228, The Insurance Council’s 24-hotline, if you have questions about insurance, including lost paperwork.
• Many banks have activated emergency relief measures for flood-affected customers, including the suspension of home loan repayments, waiving of fees and loan support.
  Commonwealth Bank customers call 13 22 21
  NAB Care customers can call 1800 701 599
  ANZ Customers can call 1800 149 549
  Westpac customers call 1800 067 497
  St George customers call 1300 769 578

Volunteering update: All Sydney call centre positions now filled, stay tuned for further opportunities

Yesterday we announced Mission Australia's National Office would act as a support call centre for Volunteering Queensland, which is being inundated with calls from people eager to help with flood recovery activities.

Our Volunteer Team has been able to place volunteers into all available call centre positions, and are working through a large backlog of registrations to fill upcoming opportunities.

Stay tuned on our Twitter and Facebook pages for new volunteering opportunities as they become available through Volunteering Queensland 

A BIG THANK YOU to all the amazing people that have registered to volunteer at such short notice!

Sydney call centre volunteers needed for flood support

As of tomorrow, 14 January, Mission Australia's National Office will act as a support call centre for Volunteering Queensland, which is being inundated with calls from people eager to help with flood recovery activities.

Our Volunteering Team is urgently seeking people who can work in five-hour shifts from Mission Australia’s head office in George Street, Sydney.

Call centre shifts will operate from 10am to 3pm and from 3pm to 8pm for at least the next seven days. Training will be provided on site.

If you are able to register to volunteer for the call centre or on-the-ground support in Queensland, please send an email to volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au or call 1800 110 578, providing your name and contact details.

Mission Australia and Volunteering Queensland would appreciate any time you can donate to support communities in flood-affected areas.

Supporting flood-affected communities

Mission Australia’s Volunteering Team has received many offers from staff and members of the public to help out in flood-affected Queensland. This generosity of spirit truly speaks volumes about our community.

Our National Volunteer Team is working with Volunteering Queensland to engage and utilise staff and community volunteers.

Volunteering Queensland is aware that Mission Australia can supply volunteer resources when required, and people who have asked about helping out are aware that their details may be passed on to local coordinators.

If you are able to register to volunteer, please email volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au or call 1800 110 578, providing your name and contact details.

If you would like to offer financial assistance, Mission Australia urges people to donate to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal at www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html or by calling 1800 219 028

Support rolls in for Queenslanders

Mission Australia staff have rallied behind their colleagues and clients in flood-affected Queensland, sending messages of support from across the nation.

Here are just some of the kind thoughts sent to Queenslanders:

“Hi all up there in Queensland. Our thoughts are with everyone up there at the moment. We cannot imagine what you all must be going through right now and in the weeks and months to come. Just seeing the images on our TVs is distressing enough. Remember that our thoughts are with you all, stay safe and take care.” - Denise Armstrong, Centre Director, Mission Australia Early Learning Services, Springvale South, Victoria.

“Hi Queenslanders. On behalf of all the ladies in this little town of Muswellbrook our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep your chins up. We’re thinking of you!” - Love and wishes, all the Muswellbrook Ladies, NSW.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. No words could heal the pain and anxiety you may be feeling. Please know that we are all praying for your safety, although we are not close to you in distance, we are close to you in heart and mind.” - Sladjana Armour, Service Manager, Southern Adelaide Metro Regional Services.

Mission Australia’s Volunteering Team also appreciates the large number of calls and emails received from members who would like to assist with the post-flood clean-up.

Further support

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been activated to assist people who have been adversely affected by flooding affecting Queensland. If you or someone you know has been affected by this disaster you should speak to Centrelink as soon as possible to arrange assistance. The AGDRP Fact Sheet contains more information.

You can also view a full list of organisations that offer Disaster Recovery Support and advice. This list includes the SES and Disaster Recovery Line details.

This afternoon we have also been told that Storage King has extended its Free Month’s Storage Free offer to people south-east Queensland and New South Wales. For more details call 1800 STORAGE (1800 786 724). This offer is subject to availability.

Anyone who wishes to help provide emergency relief funding is being urged to donate to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal at www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate or by calling 1800 219 028. This appeal cannot accept donations of goods or services. Andrew Heslop has written a good article on the ABC’s Drum about how cash donations are vital during times of crisis.

Mission Australia is not running a door-to-door fundraising appeal for flood victims, so please be wary of any unscrupulous individuals claiming to raise funds in the community on our behalf.

Mission Australia’s response to the flood crisis

Mission Australia is taking an Emergency Response Approach to managing the effects of widespread flooding on communities in south-eastern Queensland.

Our staff are seeking out homeless people and other known vulnerable clients in flood-affected areas to ensure they are receiving suitable support. Roma House, which provides accommodation and support services for homeless people in Brisbane, is operating with a skeleton staff due to access issues.

The majority of Mission Australia’s properties and services in south-eastern Queensland remain closed until further notice. This is due to either lack of access, lack of power to the property and safety concerns.

Our Lismore Community Services site has also been closed due to inaccessibility by local staff. Mission Australia services in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie Community Services are also on alert.

Our Toowoomba Community Services (CS) site will remain open until further notice. Similarly, our Deception Bay (Caboolture) CS site is also open as is our Mt Gravatt Employment Solutions centre.

Who to contact

For help in an emergency or to report storm damage call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.

If you have been flooded and require assistance call the Community Recovery Line on 1800 173 349.

Supporters who wish to provide emergency relief funding are being urged to donate to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal at www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate or by calling 1800 219 028. This appeal cannot accept donations of goods or services.

Donations can be also be made in person at any branch of the Bank of Queensland, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB, Suncorp, Bank SA, St George, Australian Central Credit Union, Savings and Loans Credit Union, Bank West, the Australian Central Credit Union as well as the Savings and Loans Credit Union. Coles Supermarkets are also accepting donations.

Mission Australia is offering volunteer emergency relief support to the Red Cross. We are currently in discussion with regards to volunteer coordination.

After the flood crisis has passed, there will be a great need to assist with the clean-up at several Mission Australia offices and related community support service buildings. Anyone who is able to volunteer and join our efforts can register their details via our hotline 1800 110 578 or by emailing volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au 

Above photo taken yesterday by Phil Cooney from Mission Australia's office in Warwick, Queensland