Tamborine Mountain Weather Event Preparation Guide
Tamborine Mountain is a beautiful but vulnerable place when it comes to severe weather. Storms, cyclones and heavy rain can leave us cut off from the outside world for days or even weeks, with no power, water, internet or phone service. Preparing in advance means fewer shocks, less stress, and a safer community overall. This guide is a practical, localised checklist of steps you can take before a major weather event — from food and water storage to securing your home, powering essentials and staying connected. It’s not official advice, but a shared collection of common-sense preparations tailored to our mountain community, with the aim of helping households feel ready, resilient and supported.
If you'd like to subscribe to the Tamborine Mountain SMS alert system - click here. It's free and during weather events, we will delivery daily summarised information regarding road closures, food and fuel access and other community news.
Mindset
- Assume the worst: you could be cut off for 1–2 weeks with no power, water, sewage, internet, or phone service.
- Prepare to be self-reliant and patient.
- Stay positive with family and neighbours — a united community will get through more easily.
Family & Neighbours
- Build good relationships before storms. Share resources, meals, and information.
- Create a street Facebook group to keep everyone informed.
- Four homes can easily share a small generator or tools if done cooperatively.
Household Preparation
- Review insurance; confirm rebuild costs and excess are realistic.
- Get trees trimmed, gutters cleared, and drains checked.
- Service your generator now — don’t wait for an emergency.
- Secure all loose outdoor items; winds here can exceed 200km/h.
- Collect sandbags early; block known leak points.
- Tape non-rated windows in high wind forecasts. Sleep in a central hallway or room away from large trees.
- Record a video of your home and belongings for insurance.
- Keep passports, documents, and valuables in one suitcase in case you must leave.
- Fully charge all devices and backup batteries.
- Ensure you have at least a month’s worth of medication.
Comfort & “Little Things”
- Stock books, games, snacks, and non-screen activities.
- Wash clothes, dishes, and linen before the storm.
- Clean the house so it feels comfortable during lockdown.
Food
- Always store at least 2 weeks of long-life food (cans, pasta, rice, milk powder, tuna, etc.). Rotate stock annually.
- Before a storm, buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread that last a week or more (apples, bananas, melons).
- Have pet food on hand.
- Freeze bags of water to keep fridges cool or share as ice.
- Get disposable plates/cutlery if the dishwasher can’t run.
- Keep a BBQ, gas cooker, or camping stove with spare cylinders.
Water
- Store 20–40L bottled water minimum.
- Have a way to filter or boil rainwater/tank water (gravity filter, ceramic pot, or LifeStraw).
- Keep a bucket for flushing toilets; rainwater works fine.
- Consider an IBC tank (100–1000L) placed high enough for gravity feed.
- Fill tanks before storms in case pumps can’t run without power.
Cooking
- Gas stoves are ideal; keep an extra full cylinder.
- Camping stoves and BBQs are cheap and reliable backups.
- Keep matches, lighters, and fire starters handy.
- Avoid kettles, ovens, and toasters on small generators — they draw too much power.
Power Options
Petrol/Diesel Generators
- Small, portable units are easier but expensive.
- Larger ones (2.5kVA+) are cheaper per watt but heavy, noisy, and require maintenance.
- Industrial units can power whole homes but are costly and need professional installation.
Using Generators
- Operate outdoors only, away from windows and fuel.
- Practice before the storm, know starting procedures, and avoid overloads.
- Learn your household’s wattage needs (starting watts vs running watts).
- Keep spare oil, spark plugs, and tools.
- Store safely; run every 6–8 weeks for a few minutes.
- Petrol goes stale in 3 months; use additives or pour into vehicles after storms.
Batteries & Power Banks
- Home batteries can help but don’t recharge well in long cloudy spells.
- Portable AC power banks (1–8kWh) can run lights, routers, or CPAP machines at night.
- Small power banks are good for phones only.
Fuel
- Keep several smaller jerrycans with siphons/funnels; easier to carry and refill.
- Fill before storms, store safely, and secure them in vehicles during transport.
- Never fill cans while still inside the vehicle.
- Use leftover fuel in cars after the event.
Communications
- Expect internet and mobiles to fail.
- Buy an AM/FM radio with spare batteries. ABC 91.7 FM (Gold Coast) and 612 AM (Brisbane) usually broadcast emergencies.
- Telstra has the strongest coverage in disasters; consider a $5 ALDI SIM (uses Telstra network) as backup.
- Satellite internet/phones are optional if you can afford them.
Chainsaws
- After storms, debris is common. Always check with Energex/SES before cutting trees — fallen wires can be deadly.
- Chainsaw use is dangerous; get training or leave it to professionals.
Septic Systems
- Modern systems may need power for pumps/air. Ask your plumber about requirements.
- Older septic tanks will overflow if not pumped; run pumps with generator for 30 minutes to clear greywater if possible.
- Blackwater toilets usually remain self-sustaining.
Hot Water & Showers
- Tank water stays warm for days — conserve it.
- Short, cool showers only.
- Camping showers, bucket baths, or gas-powered portable showers are good alternatives.
- Generators may heat hot water tanks, but only with larger (3.5kVA+) units.
Smaller Tips
- Trash collection may stop; compost what you can.
- Have extension cords, surge protectors, and a UPS for computers.
- Get an esky/cooler.
- Service chimneys.
- Fill your vehicle with fuel before storms.
- Keep a sense of humour — even toilet paper shortages can be survived.
After the Event
- Be cautious: downed lines, unstable trees, landslides, and floods are common.
- Follow official advice and updates via radio or disaster dashboards.
- Record all damage before cleaning for insurance claims.
- Service and safely store your generator.
- Check on neighbours, share resources, and offer help through Facebook groups or council notice boards.
Community Spirit
Tamborine Mountain is resilient because of its people. Knock on doors, share generators, charge a neighbour’s phone, or drop off ice. If safe, volunteer through local groups, shelters, or council. Selflessness and teamwork carry us further than any single household preparation.
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance): 000
- SES: 132 500
- Scenic Rim Council: 07 5540 5111
- Energex (emergency): 13 19 62
- Bureau of Meteorology: 1300 659 210
- Traffic Info: 13 19 40 / qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
- Urban Utilities (water faults): 13 23 64
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- RSPCA: 1300 852 188
- ABC Radio: 91.7 FM / 612 AM
- Disaster Dashboard: disasterdashboard.scenicrim.qld.gov.au
And of course our Tamborine Mountain Alerts system will be sending out current information via SMS daily. Be sure to subscribe via our website here - it is free.
