The New South Wale State Emergency Service (SES) say they currently have volunteers on standby to support northern NSW coastal communities.
With the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) predicting strong winds, high tides, and coastal erosion for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast this week due to the effects of Tropical Cyclone Seth, NSW SES are again preparing to support their communities.
Keeping a close eye on the situation
NSW SES Superintendent Mark Elm said that volunteers from across the northern coastal areas are keeping a close eye on the situation and have put their hand up to be ready in case local communities feeling the impact of the predicted weather need their support. ‘The NSW SES volunteers are checking equipment and readying teams for support if needed.
‘Volunteers have been working over Christmas and New Year and are again demonstrating their incredible commitment to serving their local communities this week if needed.
Be prepared
Mr Elm said that although volunteers are ready to help if necessary, the SES is asking that people do some simple things so that their property can be as safe as possible. ‘Be sure that you keep your house free from overhanging branches that can come down in high winds and damage your roof. Put away furniture and play equipment that can be picked up by winds and blown into houses and overhead powerlines. Make sure that you have a battery-powered radio on hand so that if you lose power you can stay up to date with the situation by listening to your emergency broadcaster.
‘These small things might mean the difference between your home being safe and undamaged or unnecessarily affected by the impact of severe weather.’
The SES says to stay alert – listen to any updates and advice and monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website on www.bom.gov.au.
For more advice on how to prepare for high winds, visit the SES Get Ready website www.ses.nsw.gov.au/getready. For emergency flood and storm assistance call NSW SES on 132 500.
To keep up to date with information visit the SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au, follow NSW SES on Facebook and listen to your local radio station.
Be prepared for bad weather, make sure you have candles, gas and supplies to last a week .
Don’t rely on the SES for help, …..because as was proven by their response ( or lack of it ) to cyclone Debbie, they had no contingency plans, any major issues were beyond their abilities and their main accomplishment in Lismore was erecting a ‘tent city’ to house the SES.
A battery powered radio IS a good idea , but that is contingent on radio stations broadcasting reliable information in a timely fashion, that rarely happens .
Good Luck . G”)