Parents and carers of schoolchildren in parts of the Wide Bay-Burnett area are being asked to collect their children from school as soon as possible, as further dangerous storms and flooding are expected to hit south-east Queensland today.
Minister for Education Grace Grace published a statement via the Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory just before noon today, 3 March, urging those in affected areas to pick up their children from school, but stay safe when doing so.
“Given the very dangerous and unpredictable weather event currently occurring in south east Queensland, parents and carers in certain regions are being asked to collect their children from school early today,” Ms Grace wrote.
The areas affected are listed as the northern Moreton Bay region, the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, and the Wide Bay region up to Bundaberg.
“Parents and carers with children at schools in the (…) regions should collect their children from school today, when it is safe to do so,” Ms Grace warned.
“Other schools will make local decisions depending on specific circumstances; please look out for updates from them.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk echoed the warning by Ms Grace, taking to social media site Twitter at 11:43 this morning to further broadcast the notice.
“Parents from northern Moreton Bay region to Bundaberg should collect children from school when it is safe to do so,” Ms Palaszczuk wrote.
The education minister added that the safety of students and staff at Queensland’s schools ahead of this new wave of dangerous weather is paramount.
“Schools that can safely open tomorrow will only be open to children of essential workers, but students should stay at home wherever possible,” Ms Grace wrote.
“However, the message is stay off the roads and stay at home unless you really need to be out.
“This weather is of serious concern.
“Please listen into your local media stations and follow BOM warnings so you have all of the latest information, and stay safe,” she added.
According to the Queensland Government’s Department of Education, as of 12:34 today, 74 state schools are already closed, while 46 Catholic and independent schools are also shut.
Information on Queensland state school closures can be found at https://closures.qld.edu.au/.
Remember: If it’s flooded, forget it.
For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts.
