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QLD ROLLING TRAVEL UPDATE: Flooding Post-Cyclone Debbie

South East Queensland is now suffering the severe weather in Cyclone Debbie’s wake, with flooding throughout the region causing havoc.

South East Queensland is now suffering the severe weather in Cyclone Debbie’s wake, with flooding throughout the region causing havoc.

Amidst the unfolding flood crisis, more than 40,000 people have been urged to leave their homes as flooding closed schools and has cause power cuts to nearly 100,000 across the southeast.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart says residents in low-lying areas in Logan and the northern Gold Coast should consider leaving for higher ground.

Flooding has also crossed the border into northern NSW, with the town of Lismore “practically underwater”, per local repots.

Areas west of Brisbane are painfully watching creek and river levels rise to levels similar to those seen in the 2011 and 2013 fatal floods.

The Gold Coast airport is currently open with flights operating as normal. The airport does state “although due to the prediction of heavy rain and high winds, travellers should contact their airline regarding the status of their flight.”

Up north, the Whitsunday Islands have been evacuating people amidst frustration from travellers for the lack of information provided on the situation.

Whitsunday Region devastated by Cyclone Debbie. Image: AAP

Whitsunday Region devastated by Cyclone Debbie. Image: AAP

Hayman Island has reported all guests have safely departed the island and all staff are safe in residence. One&Only Hayman Island is currently assessing the impact of the storm on the resort, but in the meantime no reservations are currently being accepted. Any quests who have bookings or specific questions are to email haymanhelpdesk@oneandonlyresorts.com.

Daydream Island began evacuating guests yesterday afternoon and now all guests and 116 staff have also been evacuated to the mainland.

“We’d like to express our gratitude to all involved, including the authorities, military, airlines and our industry partners – especially Cruise Whitsundays and Hamilton Island,” a statement from Daydream Island said, also thanking the incredible staff for their professionalism under extremely difficult circumstances and our guests for being very patient and cooperative.

Assessments are being carried out on the extent of damage to the island and in the meantime, they are unable to accept new arrivals until Sunday 30th April, 2017. This date may be extended once they assessed the full extent of the damage.

Hamilton island continues to work with the airport to get stranded travellers home. People are being asked to be patient and understanding as there are long delays at the airport.

 

THURSDAY 30th MARCH UPDATE

The evacuation of thousands of tourists and resort staff stranded in the north east of Queensland has commenced, three days after category four Cyclone Debbie slammed the region.

According to reports, people on Hayman Island and Hamilton are among the first to be moved out of flooded areas, while those on Daydream Island are being asked to patiently wait it out until the weather clears.

Authorities told media they are doing their best to assist stranded travellers but are fighting against bad weather in the aftermath of the ‘intense’ cyclone.

Despite the unfortunate situation, staff and guests on Daydream Island are all safe and recently had their low water supplies replenished.

More updates on the situation in Queensland below:

 

Meanwhile in Ayr, Queensland

 

South East Queensland (13.00 AEST)

goldcoastflood

The Gold Coast. Pic: AAP

South East Queensland including Brisbane, The Gold Coast and Coolangatta Airport are currently experiencing the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie with torrential downpours and flash flooding.

Over 400mm of rain is expected in the next 24 hours and currently all schools in South East Queensland are closed.

Coolangatta Airport is also currently closed.

Major flooding is also now expected for NSW’s northern rivers, including the Tweed. The Bureau of Meteorology has just updated its flood warning for the region.

 

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island Airport has reopened and Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia will begin operating flights from the island to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. Travellers are being warned to be patient with the process as due to communication disruptions, check in processes will be manual, taking up to 25 minutes per person to complete.

A spokesperson for the airport said “we have been advised that airlines will be bringing up large volumes of staff to assist with this process”.

The airport also released a statement saying it is imperative that all guests travel with the same airline carrier they originally were booked with. This is to allow for the identification and safe return of passengers home. The check-in counters will be unable to sell seats for other carriers’ flights or accommodate requests for those wanting to change carrier.

Click here for more information.

 

Hayman Island

https://twitter.com/OOHaymanIsland/status/847248840994439172

Word from Hayman Island is that it has just received clearance for a boat to depart the resort with all guests bound for Hamilton Island Airport.

One&Only Hayman Island has chartered a private airplane to transfer guests to Sydney. Weather permitting, they will begin departure procedures shortly and are working with guests and colleagues to make this trip as seamless as possible.

Meanwhile, tourists are plotting their escape back on the mainland at Airlie Beach, which was also badly damaged by the cyclone.

 

The Gold Coast

The deluge from Cyclone Debbie has now hit South East Queensland with widespread flooding throughout the region, particularly the Gold Coast Region. Beaches are closed and people are being advised to stay indoors.

Due to heavy rainfall and flooding across the tourist destination, all flights in and out of Gold Coast Airport have been cancelled for today.

Travellers are being advised to contact their airline to reschedule their flights.

 

WEDNESDAY 29th MARCH UPDATE

Yesterday, as daylight exposed scenes that local mayor Andrew Wilcox has described as “like a war zone”, the popular tourist destination began assessing the damage with fears the road to recovery could take its toll on the previously booming tourism industry.

Cyclone Debbie was the largest to hit the region since 2014’s Cyclone Yasi and could cost hundreds of millions in not only lost tourism revenue but insurance claims and clean-up.

According to Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s head Daniel Gschwind, Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays generated about $700 million a year for the region. Grischwind said he feared images of the devastation from Cyclone Debbie will deter those heading there in future, with people around the world “incorrectly assume that all of Queensland is shut.”

While resorts and businesses will scramble to repair the damage and will be out of action for a period of time, the best we can do to support the region is to not cancel travel plans and still visit once the all clear to do so safely is given.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was a lot of structural damage across the Whitsunday region and the government was prioritising getting water to Daydream Island, where about 200 holiday makers and 100 staff are running short.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa had reported conditions were extreme with heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts causing damage to the resort and surrounds. The resort reassured that every guest has been accounted for and safe, as well as all staff.

The resort advised initial assessments to damage revealed extensive damage to vegetation across the island with many uprooted trees; significant damage to the resort’s jetty and pontoons; the Rejuvenation Spa roof has been lifted with the premises suffering water damage; general water damage to the Main Atrium and accommodation wings from the force of the driving rain; a boardwalk section has lifted away and two of the three iconic Mermaid statues have been swept away.

“The resort’s priority is the ongoing safety of on-island guests and staff who will need to be taken off island as soon as practical.”

mermaids

Daydream Island is endeavouring to contact all guests arriving on Daydream in the near future. The resort urges all guests due to arrive on Daydream Island up until this Friday 31st March to contact our reservations team on 1800 075 040 or by email reservations@daydreamisland.com to get the latest update on their booking.

It is reported that Hamilton Island a mess after Cyclone Debbie’s 263km/h winds tore roofs of buildings and smashed windows.

Hamilton Island told Karryon “our emergency response team has been working through the night to safely assess the cyclone’s impact on the Island. We can confirm there is still no report of injury on the Island. The team is currently working to restore power and water.”

“Our top priority is to take care of our guests, staff and residents and we are working closely with our airline partners to ensure all guests return to their homes in the safest way possible.”

Hamilton Island confirms that many telecommunications services have been interrupted, and for those wanting to enquire about their relatives and friends on the Island, please ring our Sydney contact centre on +61 (0) 2 9007 0001.

“We are also directly contacting guest who have imminent arrivals scheduled to discuss arrangements.  Guests and travel agents wishing to discuss future bookings and timings around them should call +61 137 333 and our team will do their best to provide them with the information needed.”

There has been not much word from One & Only Hayman Island, who would have copped the cyclone first, however their website has published that all guests and colleagues that are currently on the island are safe in residence and they are currently assessing the impact of the storm on the resort.

“Please note that no reservations are currently being accepted for arrivals until Wednesday, 5 April inclusive. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact our Team at haymanhelpdesk@oneandonlyresorts.com. Please continue to check back for further updates,” the website said.

On the mainland, Mantra Group advised KarryOn that as soon as power and water services are restored to the region, it will be business as usual at Mantra Group’s three Whitsundays properties – Mantra Club Croc, Mantra Boathouse Apartments and Peppers Airlie Beach. The properties sustained some damage, which will be swiftly repaired in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

 

Flight cancellations & updates

Jetstar has advised a number of flights scheduled for the region have been cancelled. As of 29 March, these are:

Sydney-Hamilton Island (JQ 846) and Hamilton Island-Sydney (JQ 849)

Melbourne-Proserpine (JQ 832) and Proserpine-Melbourne (JQ 831)

Brisbane-Proserpine (JQ 830) and Proserpine-Brisbane (JQ 833)

Brisbane-Mackay (JQ 886) and Mackay-Brisbane (JQ 887)

Brisbane-Mackay (JQ 888) and Mackay-Brisbane (JQ 889)

All other flights in and out of the region remain as scheduled at this stage. Jetstar will be contacting all passengers on cancelled flights via email or SMS to provide options, including moving to flights on other days or a voucher credit.

Jetstar customers who have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie with bookings from 26 March to 31 March 2017 can contact Jetstar on 13 15 38 to discuss their options for bookings to/from Cairns, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Mackay and Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine).

Tigerair told KarryOn “safety is our number one priority and always comes before schedule. We continue to monitor the weather situation in relation to Cyclone Debbie, working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and will resume services when it is safe to do so.”

“We will contact all customers directly of any developments affecting their flights and obviously once we are able to resume services to and from Whitsunday Coast Airport. Our website is also regularly updated with flight information in our travel alerts section.”

To stay up to date with flight schedules visit Tigerair’s travel alerts page – https://tigerair.com.au/fly/travel-alerts

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