Qld cyclone safety guide: how to prepare your house and stay safe
Queensland is known for its idyllic weather – as well as its crazy conditions. This is everything you need to know to stay safe during a cyclone. QUESTIONS ANSWERED
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Cyclones have long been associated with the Sunshine State, so how do we cope with them and stay safe?
As Queensland braces for more wild rain and wind, there have been harrowing first-person accounts of what it’s really like inside a cyclone.
This is everything you need to know to stay safe during a cyclone >>>
How to prepare your house
General maintenance checklist
■ Check the condition of the roof regularly and repair loose tiles, eaves, screws and cracked or broken guttering or flashing.
■ Clean gutters and downpipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible.
■ Trim trees and overhanging branches that are close to your home.
■ Fix any corrosion, loose fittings and rotting or termite-affected timber.
■ Repair any broken sealant around window sills to make watertight.
■ Empty standing water from any containers and paddling pools that are not frequently emptied in the yard to prevent mosquito growth which can carry disease.
■ Disconnect electrical appliances and all external television and radio aerials.
■ Fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to main supply.
■ Close windows with shutters or draw curtains.
■ Move outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to a higher location.
■ Empty and raise freezers and refrigerators and stack or move furniture, valuables and electrical items off-site.
■ Have readily available hessian bags and sand for sandbagging indoor drains to prevent sewerage backwash from flooding.
■ Move livestock, plant and feed to higher ground.
■ Park vehicles under cover, away from trees, powerlines and waterways. If you cannot access undercover shelter for your vehicles, secure with firmly tied blankets to minimise hail damage.
■ Check all household members are safe (including your pets) and are in the strongest room in the house e.g. bathroom or laundry.
■ Take your emergency kit in with you while sheltering from the storm or cyclone.
Check your insurance policy
Natural disasters happen in Queensland every year. To get ready, we recommend checking your insurance cover.
Think about what natural disasters might happen to you and your property. Check if your insurance policy covers these. If you do not know, call your insurance provider to talk through your plan.
Prepare water supply and internal drains
Fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to main supply. Prepare to sandbag internal drains and toilets to prevent sewage backflow.
Park somewhere safe, and have a plan to leave early
Put fuel in your vehicle so you are ready to evacuate if needed. Park it in a sheltered area away from trees, powerlines and waterways. If you know a flood is coming, leave your home early and go somewhere safer. Check for road closures before you leave.
Source: Get Ready Queensland
Move valuables and electrical items
Empty and raise fridges and freezers and stack or move furniture, valuables, and electrical items. Store any poison and chemicals well above ground level.
Know how to disconnect utilities
Locate and be ready to disconnect or shut down your gas, electricity, solar power and water services if instructed.
Secure your home
Fasten all cyclone screens and board up any exposed windows, doors and seep holes if you can. Securely tape plastic sheeting to the inside of windows to keep wind and rain out of your home.
Find the strongest and safest room
This should be away from big windows, in a bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, or hallway in case you need to shelter in your home during a severe storm or cyclone. If you do have to shelter in place, cover any windows in your safe room with a mattress or heavy blanket to protect you from broken glass if the window breaks.
Secure loose items
Secure loose items that could cause damage if blown around in high winds (such as garden furniture and toys). Move outdoor equipment, rubbish, chemicals, and poisons out of harms way.
Source: Get Ready Queensland
How dangerous is Qld floodwater?
According to emergency services a car can be swept away in as little as 15cm of floodwater, and even in shallow floodwater, steering, electrics and the engine can all fail.
Research also suggests many drivers over-estimate their car’s ability to drive through water, even if they’ve never tried.
“Floodwater is notoriously unpredictable. What looks safe can quickly escalate into dangerous conditions. A seemingly calm surface can mask a fast moving powerful body of water below,” the government website states.
“Even if you know the road like the back of your hand, you cannot predict what flowing water will do or what’s happened underneath.
“Water can contain large debris, sharp objects and poisons or sewerage, not to mention the odd crocodile or snake.
“Floodwater can also rise, fall or surge very quickly. Flooding can be caused by sudden torrential rain, prolonged rain, flood plain flow, high tides and storm surge.”
Source: Get Ready Queensland
■ Gallery: Qld’s wildest ever storm photos
What should be in my cyclone emergency kit?
It’s vital you organise a cyclone emergency kit – here is a list of recommended items:
■ Water for three days – 10 litres of drinking water per person at a minimum.
■ Non-perishable food for three days.
■ Gas powered stove – with spare canister.
■ Cooking and kitchen equipment – pans, plates, cups, cutlery, cooking knife, zip bags, plastic containers and can opener.
■ Baby supplies – formulas (check expiry date) and a bottle. Have enough food, nappies and wipes for at least three days.
■ Pet supplies – dry food, water and feeding bowls.
■ Thick work gloves and disposable rubber gloves.
■ Rubbish bags.
■ First aid kit and face masks.
■ Essential medication – include a week’s supply of prescription and over the counter medication.
■ Essential toiletries – toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, personal hygiene products, sunscreen, insect repellent, tissues and hand sanitiser.
■ Important documents – paper copies or scans saved to a USB. Drivers licence, insurance policies (home, contents, vehicles, life), passports, legal documents (property deed, wills etc.)
birth and marriage certificates.
■ Mobile phone, chargers and power bank
■ Torch – with spare batteries for at least three days use.
■ Battery powered radio – with spare batteries for at least three days use.
■ Sunglasses and/or safety glasses
■ Emergency whistle
■ Wrench, pliers, screwdriver – to help turn off power, water and gas supplies if needed.
■ Tarpaulin and ropes
■ Spare glasses and hearing aid batteries – if needed and possible.
■ Spare clothes – clean underwear, changes of clothes, waterproof jackets and sun hats for all the family.
■ Safety knife – a safety knife is a useful tool during and after a disaster.
■ Bedding – sleeping bags or warm blankets, camping mattress.
■ Spare cash – in case payment systems are down.
■ Things to keep you and the kids entertained – books, pack of cards, some glow sticks.
Source: Get Ready Queensland
■ Get the latest Qld emergency alerts
Where are the Qld evacuation centres?
An evacuation centre is a designated building specifically selected as a safer location not anticipated to be adversely affected by the hazard.
These evacuation centres provide affected people with basic essentials including accommodation, food and water.
To see the latest information go here.
Source: Queensland Evacuation Centre Management Handbook
■ Get the council’s latest disaster information
What should I do to protect my pets?
It’s recommended you pack a bag or box of necessities for your pet to last at least five days.
If you can, move your livestock, horses and other animals to a safe paddock that has high ground and shelter from the wind.
Keep your pets (including cats) indoors, make sure they have a safe place, food and water and something to clean up mess.
Here is an emergency checklist:
■ Drinking water and food, cups and bowls
■ First aid kit/medical supplies
■ Important documents
■ Transportation needs (collars, leads, harnesses or appropriate tethering, cages)
■ Bedding
■ Sanitation (waste bags, cleaning products, litter, litter tray and scoop)
■ Comfort items
Source: Qld Government
How do I know about road closures?
Keeping up to date with the latest weather and road closures is vital during an emergency like a cyclone.
The Queensland Traffic website includes up-to-date road closure warnings and information.
Go to the website here
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