Comparing sources of weather prediction information in the aftermath of cyclone debbie

• Published in: Australian journal of emergency management Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 46 - 52
• Main Authors: Ames, Kate, Hewson, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mount Macedon, Vic Emergency Management Australia 01-04-2019; Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience
• Subjects: Australia. Bureau of Meteorology; Cyclone damage; Cyclones; Emergency communication systems; Emergency management; Emergency preparedness; Floods; Natural disaster warning systems; Rain; Sea level; Social networks; Storm damage; Weather forecasting; Wind; AUSTRALIA; Queensland; Queensland Australia; Australia; New South Wales Australia
• ISSN: 1324-1540; 2204-2288

Tropical Cyclone Debbie, a Category 4 cyclone, crossed Australia's coast in North Queensland on 28 March 2017. Over three days, the cyclone travelled south across Queensland weakening to a low-pressure weather system. The event caused significant flooding and damage to communities. Formal sources of information related to this event included the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services providers as well as informal sources from state-based traditional media and stct media sources of Twitter and websites. This paper is based on findings of a small study to identify the differences in weather prediction information between those formal and informal sources using the Cyclone Debbie major weather event, which invoked a disaster response. This paper identifies issues associated with the dissemination and reporting of weather-based information during emergencies. These include the language used in official sources that can confuse or downplay events, inconsistent reporting between authority and non-official sources and the lack of locally based information used by non-traditional information providers.