Storm surge

Storm surge is a rise in the ocean level associated with cyclones.

It is caused by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface and lower than normal air pressure from the storm.

As a cyclone reaches the coast, huge winds may whip up the sea and push the dome of water in destructive, large waves over low-lying coastal areas. In other words the sea may reach much further inland than it does during high tide.

If a storm surge coincides with a high tide the sea can travel even further inland, up to several kilometres.

This means you may be impacted by storm surge, for example if you live near a tidal river or creek, even if you don't live near the coast.

Storm surge evacuation is advised on the predicted height of the storm surge, known as zones, not by street or suburb. Storm surge can travel a significant distance in land, especially along tidal creeks. It's therefore very important to 'know your zone'.

You can quickly find your zone by entering your address in the search field at the top of the page.

Please note, in Cairns, evacuation advice is only issued for storm surge, not the wind and rain associated with cyclones. To find out what to do if a cyclone is expected to impact Cairns, visit our cyclone page.

Our storm surge evacuation zones use a colour system, with red being the most at risk, followed by orange and yellow. If you are in a white zone, your property is outside the storm surge risk area.

Red zone: for areas up to 2m above AHD*

Orange zone: for areas between 2m and 3m above AHD

Yellow zone: for areas between 3m and 4.5m above AHD

White zone: your property is outside the storm surge risk area.

*Australian Height Datum (AHD) defines ground levels in Australia. The level of 0.0m AHD is approximately sea level.

If you live in a storm surge evacuation zone, it's important to have an evacuation plan (see below), know your evacuation route, and closely monitor emergency announcements for evacuation advice.

If storm surge is predicted, people in storm surge areas may be advised to evacuate. Evacuation will be advised by 'zone', not by street or suburb (use the storm surge search above to find out if you are in an evacuation zone).

The Cairns Disaster Group will keep residents informed through the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook page, media bulletins, the Cairns Alert emergency messaging system and Emergency Alert.

If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Don't wait.

Our evacuation maps (which are available on this webpage under the heading - Storm Surge Evacuation Routes) provide guidance on the most direct route out of a storm surge area. Leave yourself plenty of time; there will be a lot of other people evacuating at the same time and roads may be congested.

Plan a secondary evacuation route in case your main access road is damaged, flooding or blocked by debris. Include your evacuation route in your Household Emergency Plan.

Self evacuation

Storm surge evacuation facilities are designed to save lives and accommodate as many people as possible. They are not comfortable.

Your first and best option if you have to evacuate is to stay with family, friends or colleagues outside the storm surge inundation area, or to leave the affected area early.

Public storm tide cyclone shelter

Only residents in storm tide inundation areas who have been advised to evacuate will be admitted to a shelter or place of refuge.

There are two cyclone-rated public storm tide cyclone shelters in the Cairns region, in Redlynch and Edmonton.

These cyclone-rated buildings are a last resort shelter option for people living in storm tide surge zones who have absolutely nowhere else to go.

These shelters are designed to save lives by accommodating the most number of people. Subsequently, they provide basic services and are not comfortable.

• Shelters will be locked as the cyclone passes; you will not be able to leave
• There are no beds; you will have a chair to sit in and your belongings will need to fit underneath
• There are no showers or cooking facilities
• You will need to provide your own food, drinks and snacks (take your Household Emergency Kit with you)
• You can not smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs

These shelters are not automatically opened for a cyclone. Only go to a public storm tide cyclone shelter that has been announced by the Cairns Disaster Group via the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook page, media releases on this website, ABC radio or local news stations.

Once the cyclone has passed, additional evacuation facilities will be opened. See "After the storm surge" below for information.

Places of refuge

Depending on the severity of the cyclone, places of refuge may also be opened.

Most places of refuge are large public buildings, such as halls, and are structurally no safer than any other building erected after the mid-80s.

Places of refuge will be opened only as needed and locations will be announced via the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook page, and media releases on this website.

Places of refuge change over time so a centre you have previously used or know has been used as a shelter may no longer be suitable. Only go to places of refuge that have been announced by the Cairns Disaster Group via the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook page, media releases on this website, ABC radio or local news stations.

Read our Storm Surge Evacuation Guide ( PDF, 6.45 MB )

It's important to continue to shelter in place until you receive official information it is safe to go outside. Do not turn on electricity, gas or water until suppliers have advised it is safe to do so.

Evacuation facilities

Evacuation facilities will be opened for people who are unable to stay in their home or have nowhere else to go. These facilities are designed to accommodate as many people as possible and provide basic services. The best option is to stay with family and friends outside the affected areas.

Recovery hubs

Recovery hubs will also be opened. These hubs will bring together government agencies, insurance companies and other support services such as the Red Cross, so residents can access assistance.

Returning home

Following the cyclone that causes the storm surge, emergency services will conduct Rapid Damage Assessments of properties and advise residents when it is safe to return to their homes. Do not return to your home until you have been advised it is safe.

The Cairns Disaster Group will announce locations of these facilities. For information go to the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook Page or the news section of this website.

Residents who are frail, aged and/or have a disability should refer to their Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit.

People are the best experts at knowing what they need. P-CEP can help people who are ageing at home, have a mental illness, a chronic health concern, and other support needs.

P-CEP was co-designed by people with disability, carers, community organisations, emergency services, and researchers. But as a tool, it can be used by anyone or any household.

Council is committed to working with all people to increase personal awareness, resources, and ability to prepare for and weather any crisis in their life, including natural disasters.

We need to support everyone in our communities to build their self-reliance.