Severe tropical Cyclone Marcia: An examination of information and warnings broadcasted to inform mitigation and community preparedness

The event of severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia is particularly interesting for two reasons. Firstly, it is the most intense cyclone to make landfall so far south on the east coast of Australia during the satellite era. Secondly, it rapidly intensified from a Category 2 to a Category 5 system in 36 hours. While coastal residents of the region, including Yeppoon and Byfield are accustomed to receiving cyclone forecasts and warnings, many were taken by surprise by the intensity of Marcia and the fact that it wasn’t another ‘near miss’. Being situated further inland, the residents of Rockhampton were even more surprised. Given the rapid escalation in intensity of this event, the effective transmission of warnings and how these were used to inform mitigation and community preparedness was particularly important. A collaborative post-disaster assessment involving almost 800 people across the Capricornia region was therefore undertaken to investigate public views, expectations and actions related to information broadcasted during the lead up to and impact of Marcia on 20 February 2015. In particular, public views of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) predictive services disseminated as WATCH and WARNINGS were explored. Many people were not aware their area was vulnerable to severe tropical cyclones and initially levels of concern were low. As Marcia was predicted to intensify to a Category 5, however, concern levels escalated. Nevertheless, respondents stated they felt they knew what to do to keep safe, despite few actively preparing in the lead-in to the cyclone season. Most respondents stated warnings were relevant and contained all the information they needed. ABC radio and BoM’s website were favoured sources of information, although television was the most prevalent overall. This paper discusses the event from a predictive viewpoint and examines how local residents’ received, perceived and responded to warning information.