Queensland Braces for ‘Triple Whammy’ of Bushfires, Floods and Storms as Disaster Season Intensifies
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- Authorities warn of severe weather season ahead, with high fuel loads and above-average temperatures creating perfect storm for bushfires
- Flooding, storms and rainfall expected to worsen, with Bureau of Meteorology predicting above-average rainfall for south-east and far north
Queenslanders are being urged to prepare for a potentially catastrophic disaster season, with authorities warning of a “triple whammy” of bushfires, floods and storms. The warning comes as the state is still reeling from last season’s devastating flooding and storms, with the majority of council areas already declared disaster zones.
In a dire warning, Queensland Fire Department Commissioner Steve Smith revealed that the fire season is looking “average”, but high fuel loads from consecutive wet seasons are creating a significant risk of bushfires. “As we’ve seen over the last week, we’ll have these bursts of severe activity,” he said.
The state is currently battling over 60 fires, with two blazes in the Bundaberg region at watch and act levels. A major bushfire on Moreton Island, believed to have been sparked by a campfire while an active fire ban was in place, has finally been brought under control after burning 2,300 kilometres.
Emergency Services Minister Ann Leahy said that many communities are still feeling the impacts of extreme weather, with 73 of 77 local council areas already disaster-declared. “We still have places that are recovering from the events of this year,” she said.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting above-average rainfall for the state’s south-east and far north between now and January, with severe storms also expected. An average of three to four tropical cyclones are expected to cross Australia’s coast each season.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adiran Schrinner warned residents to be ready for “quite violent storms”. “Every summer … we want to make sure that people are aware that it can be any kind of natural disaster that comes our way,” he said.
Above-average temperatures are being experienced around Brisbane and parts of the state’s south-east, with temperatures expected to soar to almost 10 degrees above average this week. The heatwave is increasing the risk of bushfires, with a total fire ban remaining in place for south-east Queensland until Tuesday night.
As the state prepares for another devastating disaster season, residents are being urged to take precautions and stay informed. With the threat of bushfires, floods and storms looming, Queenslanders are bracing for the worst.