Disaster Risks: Sunshine Coast
Find information on the disaster risks across the region: Severe weather and related flooding, bushfires, hazardous material accidents, pandemics and other risks.
Everyone living on the Sunshine Coast needs to understand how to:
- prepare for these risks
- stay informed
- respond to an emergency.
Weather events have been recorded over the past 50 years by the Bureau of Meteorology. The site will give you a snapshot of the weather records and other pertinent information.
In 2018, council conducted a risk assessment, which identified 18 risks/hazards that may impact our region. We are currently undertaking a new assessment with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. The highest risks are:
Flooding
Flooding on the Sunshine Coast can occur any time of year but is most likely between October and May.
Bushfires
The coast’s bushfire season starts in the dry season at the beginning of August.
Storms and cyclones
Storms usually occur from November to March and east coast low pressure systems from January to June. Cyclones can occur from December to April.
Hazards and health outbreaks
Hazardous risks include spills of chemical or petrol from a tanker, or an oil spill from a ship offshore. A pandemic is a global disease outbreak which spreads rapidly.
Earthquakes
Helpful information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.