Review highlights failures in communication during severe weather events

A damning review of the 2023-24 severe weather season has revealed significant communication and warning system failures, leaving communities frustrated and feeling abandoned.

During the devastating floods, when 18 individuals were stranded on the roof of the Lion's Den Hotel in Rossville, a backpacker resorted to using a satellite phone to alert authorities, as calls to local emergency services went unanswered.

The report recommends a total of nine actions, including that the Queensland Police Service should take a leading role in co-designing a whole-of-state training and exercise strategy and an improved warning strategy.

The reviews conducted by the Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management (IGEM) examined the severe weather season that spanned from October 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. This period saw 12 disasters, 11 occurring within just four months, including bushfires, severe storms, cyclones, and floods.

Public forums and submissions from community members, local councils, and emergency agencies were incorporated into the review, which was submitted to the previous government in September, just before it went into caretaker mode ahead of elections.

The release of the report coincides with the state's north experiencing torrential rain and flooding, resulting in two fatalities, with predictions for continued inclement weather this weekend.

Notably, the report states that none of the nine recommendations needed to be completed before the start of the current weather season.

One of the key issues identified was the lack of accurate and timely warnings. Many community members expressed that they either did not receive warnings or received them too late. For instance, during the flooding subsequent to Tropical Cyclone Jasper, residents reported their homes were inundated before any evacuation alerts were issued.

Conflicting information from different sources also caused confusion, with residents in isolated communities receiving unclear information about rescue operations. The report noted that some communities felt overlooked by emergency services and government agencies, leading to widespread distress.

Moreover, there was criticism regarding the coordination of aid efforts, which were perceived as disorganised and sporadic without unified command.

Concerns were also raised regarding the disaster management capabilities of some personnel deployed to affected areas.

The Queensland Police and Emergency Services Minister has been contacted for a statement regarding these findings.