Richie Hill Gets Ready for Charters Towers Storm Season

Charters Towers Region residents, young and old, are urged to get ready for storm season. 

Some of our youngest community members were recently encouraged to learn how to prepare for severe weather and disasters by entering the ‘Get Ready Queensland 2021 School Competition’. 

Students from Year 6L at Richmond Hill State School received a runner up prize for the Queensland Government run competition. 

In total 46 classes entered, 36 different schools entered, and 981 students participated in the activities as part of the competition, which encourages primary school students to learn how to prepare for severe weather and disasters. 

As part of the prize, the Get Ready Team (including Cr Graham Lohmann, Council Staff, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, QFES, and SES) attended Richie Hill to provide information about natural disasters, provide Get Ready bags, play some games, and even let students have some fun with a fire hose. 

The visit, which took place on 26 November 2021, was a great opportunity to provide students with the information they need to better prepare their families and schools for severe weather events. 

As all parents and teachers know, children are great at motivating their households and schools to take action! 

Local Disaster Chair and Charters Towers Mayor, Frank Beveridge said that now is the time for all residents to prepare. 

“It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ a weather event will occur in our region. 

“Severe storms, flooding, fires and even cyclones pose a real risk to our region.  Supply lines can be cut off, we can experience power loss, damage to our houses and infrastructure. 

“You can’t control the weather, but you can be ready.  In the event a severe weather event strikes, we want the region to be well prepared,” Mayor Beveridge said. 

To find how you can prepare, visit https://getready.qld.gov.au/  

During an emergency or disaster situation, residents should visit Council’s Disaster Dashboard www.getready.ctrc.qld.gov.au to access up-to-date weather warnings, emergency news, road conditions and power outage information.