Damon Mcknight
Australia has seen its fair share of natural disasters, from fires to cyclones, which have caused large-scale evacuations. In 2020, over 100,000 residents of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia were advised to evacuate due to raging fires, with the NSW Transport Minister calling it the largest evacuation of people out of the region ever. More recently, in 2025, thousands of Australians were urged to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approached the east coast, with authorities warning of potential flooding and transport disruptions. These events highlight the resilience of Australians in the face of natural disasters and the importance of effective evacuation planning and response.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 2025 |
| Reason | Tropical Cyclone Alfred |
| Areas affected | Queensland, New South Wales |
| Number of people affected | 4 million |
| Number of homes without power | 80,000 |
| Wind speed | Gusts of up to 96 mph |
| Total rainfall | Up to 31.5 inches |
| Flooding | Life-threatening flash flooding |
| Transport | Public transport services in Brisbane suspended |
| Schools | Over 1,000 schools in Queensland and New South Wales closed |
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What You'll Learn
Tropical Cyclone Alfred
In March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a rare east coast tropical cyclone, approached Australia. Authorities urged thousands of residents to evacuate, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warning people to stay indoors and not put themselves in harm's way. The cyclone made landfall near Brisbane, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and flooding to parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
On March 3, the system began to show characteristics of a subtropical cyclone as it interacted with cooler air and water. However, it retained its warm core and most of its tropical characteristics. The cyclone was forecast to make landfall near Brisbane, and authorities issued watches and warnings for the eastern coast of Australia, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Byron Bay.
Overall, Tropical Cyclone Alfred was a significant weather event that had a major impact on southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, Australia. The cyclone caused widespread damage, disrupted lives, and led to economic losses, highlighting the importance of preparedness and timely evacuations in the face of such natural disasters.
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Evacuation planning
Australia has had its fair share of emergencies and disasters, from fires to floods, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. Each state has its own emergency plan and evacuation guidelines, and while the specifics may vary, the underlying principles are the same: to keep people safe and minimise risks.
The Australian Disaster Resilience Handbook outlines a nationally recognised five-stage evacuation process as a framework for planning. The five stages are:
- Decision: The decision to evacuate is made based on the specific emergency or disaster.
- Warning: Communicating the need to evacuate to the community, providing clear and timely information.
- Withdrawal: The process of moving people away from the danger zone, which may involve multiple modes of transport and routes.
- Shelter: Providing temporary accommodation and support services to evacuees, ensuring their basic needs are met.
- Return: Planning for the return of evacuees, including recovery and rebuilding efforts, to minimise negative social and economic impacts.
Key Considerations
- Identify all stakeholders: This includes government agencies, emergency services, local authorities, and community groups.
- Assign responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, ensuring a coordinated response.
- Risk assessment: Identify potential risks and challenges, such as fuel shortages, road closures, or the spread of infectious diseases, and plan accordingly.
- Resources: Determine the resources required, including transport, accommodation, food, water, and medical supplies.
- Communication: Keep the community informed before, during, and after the evacuation, providing regular updates and instructions. Utilise various communication channels to reach all members of the community.
- Special considerations: Plan for the needs of vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with pets or assistance animals.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is vital to effective evacuation planning. Involving the community in the planning process can help to identify local knowledge and resources, as well as build trust and ensure a more seamless evacuation. It is important to provide clear and accessible information to the community, and to consider the unique needs and challenges of different community groups, such as Indigenous communities.
Business Evacuation Planning
Businesses also have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. In Australia, it is a legal requirement to have a regularly updated evacuation plan that complies with Australian Standards (AS 3745-2010). This includes displaying evacuation diagrams throughout the workplace. Specialist companies can assist businesses in developing compliant and effective evacuation plans and diagrams.
In summary, evacuation planning is a critical aspect of disaster preparedness, requiring coordination between multiple stakeholders and a strong focus on community engagement and safety. By following the nationally recognised framework and adapting it to local contexts, communities can be better prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters.
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Emergency kits
Australia has faced several natural disasters in recent years, from bushfires to cyclones, which have led to mass evacuations. In 2020, over 100,000 residents of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia were told to evacuate ahead of soaring temperatures and strong winds that would fuel bushfires. More recently, in 2025, a rare tropical cyclone headed towards Brisbane, leading authorities to urge residents to evacuate.
In light of these events, it is important for Australians to be prepared and have an emergency kit ready. Here are some essential items to include:
- A first aid kit with a manual and a week's supply of prescription and over-the-counter medication.
- Important documents such as driver's licence, insurance policies, passports, birth and marriage certificates, and proof of address. Scan and save these documents to a USB as well.
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food and 10 litres of drinking water per person.
- Toiletries such as toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, personal hygiene products, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
- Thick work gloves, safety glasses or sunglasses, and a whistle.
- A wrench and pliers to help turn off power, water, and gas supplies.
- Rubbish bags and a can opener.
- Face masks, tissues, and wipes for each household member.
- A torch or battery-powered lantern with enough spare batteries to last three days.
- A battery-powered radio to receive weather updates.
Keep your kit in a strong, waterproof storage container, easily accessible in your home, and consider the unique needs of your household. For example, if you have pets, remember to pack food and other necessary items for them. It is also a good idea to include children's toys and games, such as a comfort toy, emergency-themed picture books, and figurines for role-play.
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Transport issues
In the state of New South Wales, the rail link between Mount Victoria and Lithgow was affected by fires, resulting in the closure of the Main West rail line beyond Katoomba. This disruption is expected to last for several months, impacting both passenger and freight services. Additionally, fires in the Blue Mountains region have caused service interruptions on the Penrith-Katoomba-Lithgow route. While the main transcontinental rail route has remained operational, high temperatures have led to speed restrictions across the network, further disrupting freight and passenger schedules.
Road closures have also been prevalent, with highways such as the Monaro and Princes Highways experiencing closures due to fires. These closures have prevented trucks from accessing normal distribution routes, impacting the transportation of fresh produce and other goods. The impact is particularly significant for perishable items, such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and root vegetables, as extended transit times can affect their quality and freshness.
The bushfires have also caused fuel shortages, with queues of cars forming towards Sydney and Canberra as people followed the advice of emergency services and evacuated fire-threatened areas. This evacuation, described as the "largest evacuation of people out of the region ever" by NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance, highlighted the importance of effective transport management during crisis situations.
To mitigate the impact of bushfires on transport and supply chains, companies are rethinking their contingency plans. This includes adopting alternative transportation routes, mapping vulnerable highways and railways, and identifying priority shipments to minimise disruptions.
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Evacuation centres
Australia has experienced several natural disasters in recent years, from bushfires to cyclones, which have resulted in the evacuation of thousands of people. Evacuation centres play a crucial role in providing temporary shelter and basic amenities to those who have been displaced.
The Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub offers a range of evacuation planning tools and resources. These resources cover various topics, such as evacuation planning principles, the five stages of evacuation, and the unique needs of specific groups like children and young people, and individuals with autism. The Hub also addresses the inclusion of assistance animals, ensuring that evacuees with assistance animals are not denied access to evacuation centres, even without evidentiary documentation.
Different states in Australia use different terminology for their sheltering facilities. For instance, a relief centre in Victoria is a facility providing accommodation and amenities, while the same facility in New South Wales (NSW) is called an evacuation centre. Despite the varying names, these centres serve the same purpose: to offer short-term shelter, sustenance, and support to those impacted by natural disasters.
Evacuation centre locations are strategically chosen to be well clear of the expected path of fires or other hazards. The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS), in partnership with the State Emergency Service (SES) and Local Councils, identifies the best facilities to use as evacuation centres. These facilities are selected based on safety considerations, ensuring they are away from potential fire hazards. The locations of these centres are then communicated to the public through various channels, including government and emergency services websites, radio, social media, and community meetings.
It is important to note that evacuation centres offer only basic shelter and amenities, and individuals are encouraged to be self-sufficient. Additionally, while domestic pets are usually allowed, larger animals and livestock should not be brought to these centres.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in March 2025, thousands of Australians were told to evacuate due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The cyclone affected the east coast of Australia, with a focus on Brisbane and the surrounding areas of Queensland and New South Wales.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged residents to "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst". Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also warned residents to heed evacuation orders and not to treat the situation as an opportunity for sightseeing.
Yes, in January 2020, over 100,000 residents of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia were urged to evacuate due to the threat of fires and soaring temperatures.
The cyclone caused rivers to swell and left around 80,000 homes without power. Public transport services were suspended, and over 1,000 schools in Queensland and New South Wales were closed.
