The Queensland Police Service and Australian Defence Force Personnel will be door knocking homes in Oonoonba, Idalia, Rosslea, Hermit Park, Railway Estate, South Townsville, Cluden, Townsville City and some areas in Hyde Park to warn residents of potential flooding risks.
Residents in these areas should determine if they evacuate their home and move to higher ground and stay with friends or family, or move to one of the evacuation centres established around the city.
The door knocking operation will commence at 2pm, in anticipation of further opening of the Ross River Dam spillway gates. The opening of the spillway gates may be increased again today, depending on the rain that falls over the Ross River Dam catchment.
Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) Chair Mayor Jenny Hill encouraged residents in those suburbs to exercise caution and common sense when deciding to evacuate their homes.
“We ask anyone who is door knocked and lives in a low-set home to consider leaving because their home may be flooded,” Cr Hill said.
“Residents living in higher areas and in high set homes should consider the conditions where they live and make an appropriate decision.
“There are no forced evacuations at this stage but I’m asking everyone to please use common sense and stay safe.”
