Inventions Created to Minimise the Impact of Cycloes
From November to April Cyclones are a part of life for people in northern Australia and have the potential to threaten lives and cause large-scale destruction.
- Before a cyclone
- During a cyclone
- After a cyclone
- Learn more
Before a cyclone
Before cyclone season, prepare your home and check your cyclone plan:
Prepare and/or check your cyclone plan and emergency kit.
A plan is vital because when a cyclone happens, there won't be time to think. Everyone in the household needs to know what to do.
You will have a better chance of surviving if everyone in the family agrees on a plan before cyclone season.
Make sure you have a battery-powered radio as part of your emergency kit, in case of power failure and mobile networks going down.
If your home is in a low-lying area, decide where will you and your family will go in case of storm surge.
Ask your local council if your home is built to cyclone standards.
Are you insured? Make sure it covers you for storm surge, flooding and cyclone damage, including clean-up and debris removal.
Check your roof and walls and repair any loose tiles, eaves or roof screws.
Ensure windows are fitted with shutters or metal screens and that shutters and locks are working.
Trim any branches and treetops hanging over your house and clear gutters of leaves and debris.
Secure boats, caravans, trailers, garden sheds, rainwater tanks, LPG bottles and solar panels.
Make sure your household is familiar with the Standard Emergency Warning Signal or SEWS (this is what it sounds like) which is generally broadcast when a cyclone is 12 hours or less away.
Decide how you will look after your pets and animals and what you will do if you must leave them behind.
They're generally not allowed to go with you to a temporary evacuation shelter, so you'll need to decide where they'll shelter during the cyclone.
Think about what items your pets may need and include them in your emergency kit.
If an official watch or warning is issued, you should:
Stay tuned to your local ABC Radio station on a battery-powered radio and check the ABC Emergency Twitter and Facebook pages regularly for instructions and updates on the cyclone as its path can change quickly.
Familiarise yourself with some of the facts behind tropical cyclones through the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Check that your emergency survival kit is complete, and you have it on hand.
Ensure you have at least 3 litres of water per person per day for at least 3 days.
Let neighbours know a cyclone watch/warning has been issued.
Use sandbags to mitigate flooding or storm surges — check with your local council for sandbag locations.
Clear your property of all loose items and bring outdoor furniture, children's toys, and gardening equipment inside or under cover.
Secure boats. Move vehicles/bicycles under cover.
Fill buckets and bath with water (in case your water supply gets cut off). Make sure you have enough water purification tablets or other water purification options.
If your windows are fitted with shutters, make sure they are closed securely. If not, tape your windows in a criss-crossing fashion using strong packing tape (this will hold broken glass in place).
Bring children and pets indoors and remain inside until told otherwise.
If you or a family member has a disability you may be more susceptible to the impacts of a cyclone.
When a cyclone warning is issued consider moving with your emergency kit and anything you need to manage your health or disability.
Let friends and family know where you are.
During a cyclone
If you shelter at home:
Turn off all electricity, gas and water; unplug all appliances.
Keep your emergency kit close.
Bring your family into the strongest part of the house.
Keep listening to the radio for cyclone updates.
If the building begins to break up, shelter under a strong table, bench or heavy mattress.
Beware the calm eye of the cyclone: stay inside until told it is safe to go outside.
The eye may have light winds and fine weather, or severe gusts of wind may continue.
The eye is surrounded by a dense ring of cloud known as the eye wall, which is the most dangerous part of the cyclone with the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall.
Comfort children.
When an official evacuation order is issued:
Act immediately. You and your family should follow directions; seek a public shelter or stay with friends/family further inland or on higher ground.
Check with your neighbours that they have received the updated information.
Turn off all electricity, gas and water; unplug all appliances.
Lock your doors.
Make sure everyone in your household is wearing strong shoes and suitable clothing.
Take your emergency survival kit; follow your evacuation plan.
Visiting from out of town? The local council or emergency agency will let you know your best options for evacuation.
If you cannot take your pets with you, make sure they are in a safe place (garage, laundry, etc). Leave them with food and water. Do not tie them up.
Comfort children.
If you are driving when a cyclone hits, immediately park in an area that is clear of trees, powerlines and water courses. Stay inside your car.
Stay calm. Keep listening to your local ABC Radio station listen online or via the ABC listen app, and/or check ABC Emergency's Twitter and Facebook accounts for updates and instructions.
Mobile networks may be down so be aware your mobile phone may not be available.
If safe to do so, contact your ABC Local Radio station to tell the listeners what you can see. First-hand and reliable knowledge about what's going on will help the rest of the community. Keep our phone number handy.
Stay inside until the all clear is given.
After a cyclone
The time immediately after a cyclone is often just as dangerous as the initial event itself.
Deaths and injuries often happen when people go exploring and sightseeing.
Remember, stay inside until the all clear is given.
Once the cyclone has passed:
Listen to your radio and remain indoors until an official all clear has been given by the authorities.
An official all clear is given when dangers cause by wind and storm surges have passed but you need still need to take care.
Cyclones can bring heavy rain and widespread flooding to your region. Never drive, ride or walk through floodwaters.
Do not go sightseeing.
Check on your neighbours, family and friends.
Check the whereabouts of pets and animals.
Boil or purify your water until supplies are declared safe.
Stay away from damaged powerlines, fallen trees and flood water.
Be wary of possible gas leaks
If your home has become uninhabitable, contact your local council and ask where you can get help.
Keep electricity and appliances off until checked by an electrician. If you have solar panels that are damaged, do not turn on your power supply. Have gas appliances inspected before use.
In case you become separated from loved ones during an emergency, the Red Cross manages Register.Find.Reunite, a national registration and enquiry service. When the service is activated, people can register at www.redcross.org.au or in person at an evacuation or relief centre.
You can also use the website if you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been affected.
Stay tuned to your local ABC Radio station, listen online or via the ABC listen app, and/or check ABC Emergency's Twitter and Facebook accounts for updates and instructions.
Learn more about cyclones
- Understanding cyclones from the Bureau of Meteorology
- Everything you need to know about cyclones from ABC Weather
Posted , updated
Inventions Created to Minimise the Impact of Cycloes
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/emergency/plan-for-emergency-cyclone/12412044
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