Stay Safe: ACHIA NSW Supports Communities Preparing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred

ACHIA NSW have you in our thoughts and available to support you as best as we can whilst your organisation and community are preparing for the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Various services from across the region are busy supporting the community in various ways including:

• Evacuation centres are being setup and details are available on the NSW State Emergency Services (SES) website: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an-emergency/evacuation-centres

Please take all steps to ensure clear communication channels are in place and that details of relevant authorities are being passed on.

See below resources to further support tenant safety:

You can stay informed by:

• Downloading the Hazards Near Me app, which provides emergency warnings and advice for fires, floods and tsunamis in NSW: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
• Monitoring the NSW State Emergency Services (SES) website: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ which includes information on evacuation centres: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an-emergency/evacuation-centres
• Monitoring the Bureau of Meteorology: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
• Listen to local ABC radio for the latest updates
• Stay connected through local social media groups – Many communities share real-time updates on shelter locations, food distribution, and support services through Facebook groups and community pages. Check in on these platforms for additional resources and share any verified information you come across to help others who may not have access.

Stay safe by:

• Ensuring you have an emergency kit prepared and adequate food, water and critical medical supplies for several days if power goes down. Need help preparing a kit? The Red Cross has created a step by step guide: https://www.redcross.org.au/globalassets/cms/emergency-services/preparedness/checklist-get-packing.pdf
• Do not enter flood waters, ocean or rivers
• If you are located in lower lying areas that are at risk of flooding, consider staying with family or friends on higher ground.
• For those located closer to the Queensland border, there are strong wind warnings, be alert for debris.
• Ensure your phone is charged, with communications and power networks at risk of going down.
• For emergency help in floods or storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
• Call 000 (triple zero) in case of an emergency.
• Extreme weather events can be stressful and can take a toll on your mental health and wellbeing. If you need support, you can reach out to:
  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support.
  • 13 YARN on 13 92 76, a free and confidential crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, available 24/7.
• Check in on vulnerable community members – Ensure Elders, people with disabilities, and those with limited mobility have the support they need to prepare or evacuate. If safe to do so, offer assistance with transport, gathering supplies, or staying informed. If they require emergency help, contact the SES at 132 500 or 000 (triple zero) in life-threatening situations.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@achiansw.org.au if you have questions or are seeking advice.

ACHIA NSW is not an emergency management responder and will be following all relevant authority guidance throughout this period.