During an emergency this page is replaced with the Cairns Disaster Dashboard.
The dashboard collates real-time information from Council, emergency services and utilities such as Ergon and Telstra, we well as showing evacuation routes, any shelters that are opened, storm surge maps and links to information to help you be prepared for a disaster.
You can use the Cairns Disaster Dashboard year round to see traffic and flood cams, be aware of hazards such as fires and road closures.
Residents can also register for Cairns Alert to receive important information via email or text message.
The Cairns region is a beautiful, tropical area that is vulnerable to natural disasters. We are cyclone and flood prone. We're neighbours to an old volcanic landscape in the Tablelands. We live very close to the sea and extensive areas of bush. There is one main road in and out.
So it's important to be ready should a disaster occurs
This means:
- Knowing the risks
- Preparing your property before the cyclone season
- Having an emergency plan for yourself, your family and your pets
- Having an emergency kit with at least 3 days of supplies
- Knowing your evacuation routes
We encourage residents and visitors to follow the Plan. Pack. Listen approach.
Plan: Make an emergency plan
Pack: Pack an emergency kit
Listen: Stay informed
- More information on planning, preparing and staying informed
- Read our all hazards brochure, Be Ready Cairns - preparing for natural disasters
Evacuation advice during cyclones in the Cairns region is based on storm surge, not wind. Here are some ways to determine if you are in an storm surge evacuation area. More
Information and advice on what to do in the event of an earthquake. More
Preparing for Cyclone guides have been prepared in different formats and languages to ensure everyone in the Cairns area can be prepared for an emergency. More
The Living With Water project collects stories of flooding of the Barron River as a way of learning from experience so we can be better prepared for future flooding. More
The "Be Ready, Cairns - preparing for natural disasters" booklet provides information on the types of emergency situations that can affect Cairns and tips on how to be prepared. More
The Cairns Disaster Dashboard collates crucial information from Council, emergency services, utilities such as Ergon and Telstra, road status updates, and traffic and flood cams to provide a single point of reference during a disaster. More
Disaster Coordination Centre (when the Centre is activated)
Telephone 4044 3377
Disaster Management Unit
PO Box 359
Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
Ph (07) 4044 3044
Fx (07) 4044 3830
- More information on what the DMU does
