QLD and NSW aged care homes prepare as a severe weather warning is issued

Key points:

• The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather update recently, with areas of Queensland and New South Wales now on a flood watch
• Researchers have found that older Australians have a significantly increased risk of death in extreme weather conditions such as cold temperatures and sweltering heat
• Aged care home management and carers of older people should create emergency management plans to ensure the safety of residents and staff during extreme weather conditions

The Bureau of Meteorology has recently issued a heavy rainfall and flooding risk for parts of south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales. 

High-risk weather conditions are more common from October to April each year and can involve flooding, bushfires, storms and heatwaves. 

Researchers suggest that older people have a ‘significantly increased risk of death due to excessive cold’ temperatures, and are also at greater risk of mortality during heatwaves, compared to younger age groups.

The flood watch spans from Yeppoon in Queensland down to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, with some areas expected to see rainfall up to 100 millilitres.  

With affected areas seeing waterway and river systems rising in current conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology suggests that access to some roads and paths may be impacted. 

The Australian Government has compiled weather preparation checklists for the management of residential care homes and for carers of people using home care or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

In extreme weather conditions, aged care homes may require evacuations, have lower staff numbers, have difficulty accessing essential supplies and experience possible power outages. 

Riverlea and Millbank aged care facilities in Bundaberg experienced flooding and displaced snakes entering the buildings when extreme weather conditions occurred in 2013.

Older people should give themselves extra time to vacate an area before a flood hits due to added debris. Health issues such as vision impairments may also impact an older person’s mobility as they navigate the changing environment.

The South Australian Emergency Services have created an emergency checklist for households to use in any evacuation situation. Creating an evacuation plan and box of important items before an extreme weather event is crucial.

Additionally, flood recommendations from the South Australian Emergency Services include:

• checking your emergency kits and evacuation plan;
• blocking sinks and toilets with sandbags to prevent sewage from rising; and
• avoiding driving over flooded roads as unknown debris may cause damage or block your car.

Floodwater can move incredibly fast and take you away easily in the current, even if you are in your car. If you can’t gauge the depth of water, don’t enter it — find another route around.

While looking after your property and vehicles can prevent damage from flooding, people in affected areas are at an increased risk of drowning or falls due to slippery surfaces and transport-related incidents. 

Approximately 9,100 Australians were hospitalised and 670 fatalities occurred related to extreme weather between 2012 and 2022, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

To learn more about preparing for extreme weather events such as flooding, read this article: How to stay safe during floods.

Floods have been found to cause approximately 20 percent of all deaths associated with natural hazards in Australia. 

Last year, extreme weather events included Queensland’s Cyclone Jasper, extensive flooding in the north-west of Queensland and the Northern Territory, along with a heatwave in South Australia.

To get up-to-date weather information specific to your area, download the free Bureau of Meteorology app from the App Store and Google Play. The app includes current weather data, warning notifications and forecasts. 

Although staying updated with weather warnings is important, preparing your home and family members for extreme weather events can reduce later stress and help keep you safe. 

If the emergency requires police, fire or ambulance services, call 000 immediately.

If you need assistance from your local state emergency service, call the national emergency service line on 132 500 and your call will be directed accordingly. 

State Emergency Services can assist in situations including when a tree or large branch has fallen, your roof is damaged or your house has flooded.

State Emergency Services are run by volunteers and each state and territory has a dedicated website:

• Australian Capital Territory;
• New South Wales;
• Northern Territory;
• Queensland;
• Tasmania;
• Victoria; and
• Western Australia. 

Additionally, the Bureau of Meteorology runs free online webinars to provide information to the community regarding annual climate statements. Register your interest in upcoming events on the Bureau of Meteorology website. 

How have you prepared your home for severe weather this season?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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