In most cases, the safest place for you and your family during a disaster is inside your home. As part of your preparations you should identify the strongest room in the house for protection during disaster events such as severe storms and cyclones.

Whilst the Banana Shire Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) has identified a number of facilities throughout the region, which may be utilised as evacuation centres and/or shelters, facilities and services available may be limited and these locations should therefore be utilised for accommodation purposes only as a last resort.

The LDMG preferred options for persons requiring accommodation due to evacuation, are in priority order;

• A destination of the person's choosing away from the "at risk" area (i.e. relatives, friends, etc);
• An established accommodation venue away from the "at risk" area (i.e. motel, hotels, caravan park etc);
• A nominated and established evacuation centre; and
• A nominated shelter

Evacuation Centres

An Evacuation Centre is a designated building specifically selected as a location not anticipated to be adversely affected by the hazard.

Establishment and management of evacuation centres is a responsibility of the Local Disaster Management Group, in conjunction with the District Disaster Management Group.

When an evacuation is ordered, because it is no longer safe to shelter in place and evacuees have no alternative means of accommodation away from the at risk area, residents should relocate to an evacuation centre that is open and staffed and as designated and advised by the Local Disaster Management Group.

The location and opening of an Evacuation Centre will be announced by the Local Disaster Management Group and conveyed within warnings and advice messages.

The following facilities have been nominated by the LDMG as potential evacuation centres:

• Biloela Civic Centre;
• Moura Kianga Hall; and
• Taroom Showgrounds

Place of Refuge (Shelter)

A place of refuge (also referred to as a Shelter) is usually a building, private or government owned that will provide a level of protection from the effects of the hazard.

The location and opening of a place of refuge will be announced by the Local Disaster Management Group and conveyed within warnings and advice messages.

The following facilities have been nominated by the LDMG as potential places of refuge (shelters):

• Banana Sutherland Hall;
• Baralaba Hall;
• Cracow Community Hall;
• Dululu Community Hall;
• Goovigen Hall;
• Jambin State School;
• Jambin Hall;
• Thangool Recreation Reserve;
• Theodore Aerodrome;
• Theodore RSL Hall; and
• Wowan Multi-Purpose Centre