In the event a Cyclone Warning is issued:

• Keep listening to your portable radio and watch the weather bureau website to monitor the movement and severity of the cyclone
• Check that your emergency kit is complete and easily accessible.
• Check that your neighbours are aware that a cyclone watch or warning has been issued ;
• Clear your property of all loose items. This means bringing outdoor furniture, children’s toys and gardening equipment inside or under cover ;
• Secure any boats and move all vehicles and bicycles under cover;
• Fill buckets and bath with water in case water supply becomes restricted and ensure you have sufficient water purification tablets to make the water drinkable;
• Prepare an evacuation kit that includes warm clothes, essential medications, baby formula, nappies, valuables, important papers/photos/mementos in waterproof plastic bags, pillows, sleeping bags and blankets; and

More information about cyclone preparation, as well as what to do during and after a cyclone can be viewed at www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/beprepared.asp

Items to include in your emergency kit:

Food and water

• Three days supply of non-perishable food (plus can opener, cooking gear, plates and utensils)
• Clean water in sealed containers (10 litres per person is recommended for three days supply)
• Water purification tablets

Medical and sanitation supplies

• First Aid Kit and manual
• Essential medications, prescriptions and dosage
• Toilet paper
• Toiletry supplies (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo)
• Personal hygiene items
• Spare spectacles

Lighting

• Torch with extra batteries (or wind up torch)
• Battery powered lantern

Communications

• Battery powered radio with extra batteries (or wind up radio)
• Traditional wired telephone (for land line)
• Prepaid phone cards and coins for phone calls

Clothing and footwear

• Warm jumper, waterproof jacket, hat and gloves for everyone
• Closed-toed shoes or boots for everyone
• Change of clothes for everyone, in stored plastic bags
• Spare clothing and bedding

Tools and supplies

• Plastic sheeting and duct/masking tape to tape windows
• Whistle and utility knife
• Plastic garbage bags and ties
• Safety glasses and sun glasses
• Wrench or pliers to turn off all utilities 
• Tent and tarpaulin
• Woollen and thermal blankets
• A mobile phone, spare battery and charger  

Miscellaneous items

• Specific supplies for infants (nappies and formula), the elderly and people with special needs
• Spare house and car keys
• Spare cash (you may not be able to access electronic bank tellers (ATMs) due to power failures)
• Pet provisions and information (e.g. vet papers, leash, water and food, collars with identification tag, pet beds, litter pan and scooper, carrier or harness and medication)

Important documents

Keep original or certified copies of the following documents in your Emergency Kit. Scan copies of these documents and save on a USB memory stick or CD to include in your kit. Keep all these items in sealed plastic bags.

• Insurance documents for your house, contents, cars and valuable items
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Wills and life insurance documents
• House deeds / mortgage documents
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Passports / visa details
• Stocks and bonds
• Medicare, pension card details and immunisation records
• Bank account and credit card details
• Back up copies of important computer files
• A copy of your completed Household Emergency Plan with emergency contact phone numbers

In a major emergency, there may be extended interruptions to power and water supplies.
The following items are recommended:

• Barbeque or portable stove with fuel
• Fully charged batteries for mobile phones
• Spare batteries for torch and radio
• Esky or gas / battery powered refrigerator

What you can do when you hear a flood warning:

• Listen to your local radio station for severe storm advice and warnings;
• Plan to move vehicles, outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to higher locations;
• Plan which indoor items you will raise or empty if water threatens your home (e.g. freezers and refrigerators); and
• Check your emergency kit and safeguard your pets.

More information about flood preparation and emergency kits can be found at the Emergency Management Queensland website.

 

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