Get Your Home Cyclone Prepared

With storm season in full swing, we are all reminded not to get complacent, but to keep vigilant and prepared in case a severe weather event comes our way.

On average, 11 cyclones hit Australia each year and four of them are likely to cross land.

While this may not seem like a lot, it only takes one to cause extensive damage.

In March 2017, Cyclone Debbie hit the Whitsundays and large areas were without water for over a week and had no electricity for two weeks.

During this time, residents needed to be self-sufficient and resilient.

Will you be prepared if this happens again this year?

Here’s what you need to do:

• General maintenance: check the condition of your roof tiles, clean out gutters, trim trees and secure lose items

• Home preparation: Make sure you have an emergency pack, a torch and batteries, wide masking tape for windows, containers for water, spare fuel, portable gas stove top or BBQ and hessian bags

• During a severe weather warning: Close windows or shutters, fill buckets and bath with clean water, park vehicles under cover, move all family members to the strongest room of the house

• Keep connected: Listen to the radio and head to the Whitsunday Regional Council Disaster Dashboard where you will be able to keep up with real time information about the weather event

Cyclone season takes place from November to April each year and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) will issue warnings when a severe weather event is expected to hit within 24 hours.

During this small window the shops may be full, and supplies can run out so it is best to ensure you are prepared ahead of time.
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Cyclone Debbie hit in 2017, causing residents to be without power for weeks. Photo contributed

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