MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 19 November 2012
Storm surge crashes onto the
coast of Townsville
In the lead up to storm season Green Cross Australia, in
partnership with CSIRO, have released a visualization of a storm
surge caused by a hypothetical cyclone hitting the coast of
Townsville, in an effort to raise awareness of the potentially
devastating effects of storm surges, and the importance of
preparing for natural disasters.
Hosted on Green Cross Australia's disaster resilience website,
www.hardenup.org, the video
demonstrates how a storm surge created by a cyclone like Yasi might
affect a coastal city. CSIRO researchers have created a model using
the North Queensland city of Townsville that shows how quickly
water can move and how soon it reaches low lying homes and
businesses.
'As the world watched the storm surge created by Cyclone Sandy
crash onto the US East Coast and cause mass destruction, it is a
timely reminder that this is an important hazard we need to prepare
for. 85% of Australians live within 50 km of the coast, so it
certainly is something we should be aware of.' Mara Bún, Green
Cross Australia CEO explains.
'It is our aim that by understanding the severity of the risk,
viewers will be inspired to take action to prepare their homes,
families and communities.'
The video also includes advice on how to prepare for severe
weather from leaders in the field, including the Director at
Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University, David Henderson,
former Executive Director of Queensland Red Cross, Greg Goebel,
Volunteering Queensland CEO, Jelenko Dragisic, and Green Cross
Australia CEO Mara Bún.
The 'Harden Up - Protecting Queensland' website serves up 150
years of severe weather across Queensland at a suburb level, and
encourages people to self assess the weather hazards they are
exposed to and then prepare for them using an interactive planning
tool.
In Townsville there have been 53 major cyclones since the 1850s,
the website hosts case studies for three of the bigger ones: TC
Yasi in 2011, TC Winifred in 1986 and TC Althea in 1971.
To view the video visit /be-aware/weather-events/storm-surge-simulation.aspx
-ENDS-
For more information please contact:
Lisa Wilhelmseder, Head of Programs - Green Cross Australia
07 3003 0644 lisa@greencrossaustralia.org