Shelter Options - Evacuation

On this page you will find details on the following:

Shelter Options - Should I Evacuate?

The best option for most people during a tropical cyclone is to shelter in their homes (shelter in place). However, if your home is located in an evacuation zone or is an older building that is not in good condition or you have special needs, you need to plan and prepare so that you can evacuate and seek shelter in a safer place. 

Find out if it is safe for you to shelter in place:

Plan and prepare to shelter in place (you can offer to shelter your family and friends)

If you answered no to all three questions in the diagram above, this is your best option. 

• You will be more comfortable sheltering in your own home and can keep your pets with you
• You will need to plan and prepare now by following these steps:
  • Plan - make a household emergency plan 
  • Pack - pack an emergency kit 
  • Listen - stay informed. Identify your best options to tune into warnings (council social media, local radio or credible websites)

Prepare your home - check your roof is in good condition, keep gutters and downpipes clear, trim trees and overhanging branches, check and fix any corrosion, rotten timber, termite infestations and loose fittings. 

Identify the strongest room in your home. This is usually the smallest room with the least number of windows and external walls. 

Plan and prepare now so you can evacuate and shelter in a safer place.

If you answered yes to any of the questions in the diagram above, your best options are to:

• pre-arrange to evacuate and shelter with family or friends that live in a safer place – outside the storm tide zone, in a well maintained building/ home built after 1982
• pre-arrange to leave the area altogether and shelter in another town outside of the storm tide zone (with family, friends or at a motel)
• Check now if you will be able to take your pets with you and determine what pet supplies you will need to prepare and take in your evacuation kit
• Consider how you will get to your safer location and when you will need to leave
• You may need to sustain yourself and your family for a few days, so ensure you have prepared supplies to take with you in your emergency kit and evacuation kit – including food, water, change of clothing, medications, toiletries, radio, spare batteries, bed linen and towels etc. If you have children, take some games or toys for them. Take important personal and household documents, credit cards and cash
• When you enact your evacuation plan, ensure you leave early, before storm tide
  inundation or strong winds affect your area
• Register your details on the National Registration and Inquiry System by phoning 1800 727 077 or online at www.redcross.org.au

Click here to download Council's Shelter and Evacuation Options brochure

Public Cyclone Shelter

The Public Cyclone Shelter is located at Ingham State High School, 12 Menzies Street, Ingham. 

The Public Cyclone Shelter must be considered as the last option for residents that live in an evacuation zone, have exhausted all other shelter options and are unable to leave the warning area. This facility is intended as a short term shelter option (up to 18 hours) and has very basic amenities. You and your family will be much more comfortable sheltering at home, or at a family members’ or friends’ home located in an area outside local evacuation zones or in commercial accommodation in a location outside the warning area. Residents in evacuation zones with no other sheltering option will be advised when the Public Cyclone Shelter is activated, via ABC local radio (broadcast on AM630) and on councils’ website.

Limitations of the Public Cyclone Shelter

This facility has limited capacity and will be used to accommodate as many people as possible. This means that there will be limited space and you will need to be aware of the following:

• You will need to be seated in a chair and will not be able to lie or sit on a mattress or stretcher (there is not enough space for bedding)
• Domestic pets and other animals will not be allowed in the shelter and you will need to make other arrangements for sheltering your pets prior to cyclone season. Note: assistance animals are permitted to enter the shelter and stay with owners
• all personal belongings are to be kept within a backpack or small bag able to fit under a chair. You will need to be self sufficient and support yourself and your family for the duration of the shelter period, so you need to include personal medications, essential non-perishable food and refreshments, identification papers and essential personal items. anything deemed oversized and / or unnecessary will not be permitted into the shelter
• There are no public cooking facilities, limited bathroom facilities, and limited medical support provided
• There will be limited transport and parking options
• When using the public Cyclone Shelter: You may be in the facility for up to 18 hours or more. During this time the building will be “locked down” for a period when the cyclone is passing. To ensure the structural integrity of the building and the safety of occupants there will be no ability to enter OR leave the shelter while it is in “lock down”

Conditions of Entry 

All persons seeking entry to the Public Cyclone Shelter will be required to agree to conditions outlined in the Public Cyclone Shelter Code of Conduct (see below).

Click here to view the Ingham Public Cyclone Shelter Conditions of Entry

Any person unable or unwilling to abide by these conditions will need to make alternative sheltering arrangements (e.g. sheltering with family or friends located outside the storm tide evacuation zone or leaving the area that is subject to the cyclone and storm tide impacts). Shelter occupants who do not comply with the Code of Conduct prior to lock down may be required to leave the facility. Occupants who do not comply with the Code of Conduct after lock down may be subject to prosecution.

Prohibited Items

It is a condition of entry that prohibited items must not be brought into the shelter, these include:

• alcohol
• cigarettes and smoking items
• weapons including knives or similar edged items
• illicit drugs and associated items
• aerosols (except personal medications such as asthma puffers etc.)

Persons seeking entry to the shelter will be required to surrender any prohibited items. Shelter occupants’ belongings and person may be searched by a Queensland Police Service officer securing the facility if officers have a reasonable belief that items of this nature have been taken into the shelter.

Code of Conduct

Click here to view the Ingham Public Cyclone Shelter Code of Conduct

All people occupying the shelter will:

• Provide the required registration details to Shelter staff prior to entry to the shelter;
• Comply with directions of the Shelter staff;
• Occupy the seat allocated to them by the Shelter staff and stow personal items below that chair. Occupants are responsible for the security of their own valuables;
• Not use anything that is dangerous or interferes with the health and comfort of yourself and others (this includes the consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs or tobacco products/smoking). Non-compliance with this requirement may result in prosecution;
• Be mindful of the large number of persons within a small space and conduct yourself in a calm manner that does not create any unnecessary disruption, disorder or conflict with fellow shelter occupants;
• Not intentionally cause damage to the Shelter building, furniture, fittings and fixtures and immediately report any accidental damage, incidents of vandalism, theft and / or other illegal activity to Shelter staff;
• Supervise children closely. Children remain the responsibility of parents or guardians and must be accompanied to the toilets and showers by a parent or guardian;
• Wear footwear at all times for safety and hygiene reasons; 
• Keep walkways and emergency exits clear;
• Remain within the main area of the Shelter and not enter storerooms, kitchens or office space unless requested or permitted by Shelter staff;
• Respect others and not shout, yell or use loud obscene language;
• Use earphones to listen to battery operated personal music / electronic devices. Electronic devices must not be used with Shelter power outlets unless approved by Shelter staff;
• Only use shower facilities at the direction of Shelter staff. Maintain cleanliness and dispose of rubbish in the bins provided;
• Notify Shelter staff of any medical emergency or other critical incidents; and
• Additional requirements in the event of a pandemic
  • Evacuees are requested to bring with them where possible, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, hand sanitiser and tissues to augment Council's supply.

Post event support for impacted residents

Depending on the scale of the event, other sites may be established after the event as Evacuation Centres or short term accommodation for impacted residents and/or Recovery Centres to support impacted residents with a range of recovery services. Advice on the activation and location of such centres will be provided after the event by local authorities at the appropriate time.