Mayor Whitney said based on current Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) predictions the most likely
affects, for the Whitsunday region, from Cyclone Ita are heavy rain and strong winds over the
weekend.

“However, the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group has met to ensure all emergency services across the region are ready and prepared for any potential severe weather affecting the
Whitsunday area in the coming days,” she said.

“Despite the BoM’s modelling currently showing Cyclone Ita will mostly affect Far North
Queensland we are still advising residents and businesses in the Whitsunday region to prepare for heavy rain and strong winds.

“BoM is emphasising there are a number of different paths Cyclone Ita could take and as such the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group will be monitoring the system and updating the
community over the weekend.

“Now is the time for residents to begin their preparation, rather than leave it to the last minute.

“Being prepared early is essential and the first step to being prepared for cyclones is to look no
further than your own backyard, by cleaning up potential flying debris.

“It is also worth checking that your Emergency Kit is stocked up and complete.

“While the high tides expected for Sunday and Monday are much lower than during Cyclone Dylan, some storm surge may still be experienced, depending on the final location and intensity of the cyclone.

“Now is also the time to check whether you live in a storm tide inundation zone by checking the
Council’s new online interactive storm surge maps at http://whitsunday.ldmg.net.au/community/

“Residents living in the low lying coastal areas of the Whitsundays are urged to call on their
friends or family members who live in safer high places for shelter, in case they need to evacuate.

“People are also urged to think now about what their pet or animal evacuation plan will be.

“Residents who are new to town are encouraged to talk to their neighbours about how best to
prepare for a cyclone event,” she said.

Emergency Action Guides (EAG) are available on Council’s website, or in our customer service
centres, the storm tide inundation mapping zones shown in the EAG are an indication only for
storm tides.

To keep up to date with information relating to current disaster events, residents are encouraged to ‘Like’ the Whitsunday Disaster and Emergency Information Facebook page, which will provide a
direct link to information from the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group.

Ends

For media enquiries, contact:
Kate Lennox, Communications Manager
Phone: 07 4945 0614, 0427 458 369 or Email: kate.lennox@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au