Premier Orders Townsville Kids to Stay Home

All Townsville schools and childcare centres will be closed tomorrow

The decision made after an emergency briefing, involving Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

“We need to ensure everyone’s safety,” the Premier said.

“The bureau’s advice is, if this monsoonal weather continues, the next few days could see more heavy rainfall.

“It is safer if families are not trying to get to and from school.”

The Department of Education has urged parents to stay up date with the status of schools in the region as the Bureau of Meteorology expects the severe weather system to hang around for the next few days.

The school closures website – a live website that is constantly updated – can be found at http://closures.det.qld.gov.au/

The Government has declared a disaster situation for the area.

It gives police wider evacuation powers if needed.

The Queensland Disaster Management Committee will meet in Brisbane at 10 tomorrow morning.