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For comprehensive weather information and warnings for your area please proceed to the Bureau of Meteorology site here.
For more help and information for communities affected by major disasters such as flooding, severe storms and fires. Click here.
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What to do in a |
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Storm (Click + or Heading to expand)
+ Approaches
- Listen to your local radio station for regular storm 'Advice' and 'Warnings'.
- Shelter and secure pets and animals.
- Move outdoor items, garden furniture, toys etc. inside. Fill your bins with water, or place them in your swimming pool.
- Shelter vehicles or cover with tied tarpaulins/blankets.
- Secure doors and windows and draw the curtains/blinds.
- Place valuables, medications, and warm clothing in plastic bags along with your emergency kit.
- Disconnect electrical items and outside TV/radio aerials.
+ When it strikes
- Stay inside. Shelter well clear of windows and skylights.
- If the building starts to break up, shelter in the strongest part (eg cellar, internal hallway, bathroom), under a mattress, doona, a strong table or bench.
- Continue to listen to your portable radio for storm updates. If you are outdoors, seek shelter in a solid enclosed area - do not shelter under a tree.
- If you are driving, stop your vehicle clear of trees, powerlines and streams.
- Don't use a fixed telephone during a thunderstorm - it may deliver an electric shock.
+ Aftermath
- Continue to listen to your local radio station for official warnings and advice.
- Check your home for damage to windows, walls or the roof. Temporarily cover any damage with the plastic sheeting and wood strips in your emergency kit.
- If you need help call your local Police or State Emergency Service.
- If you don't need help, see if your neighbours (particularly elderly and people with a disability) need any help.
- Beware of fallen powerlines, damaged buildings and trees and flooded watercourses.
- Don't go sightseeing and try to discourage others from doing so.
Flood
+ Before the Flooding Occurs
- Ask your local Council about flood plans (or records) for your area. These plans should identify problem areas and potential flood heights.
- If your home is in a flood-prone area, consider alternatives to carpets (eg removable rugs).
- In ground level homes, brick and tiled walls are less likely to be damaged and are more easily cleaned.
- Check if house and contents are covered against flooding.
- Prepare an emergency kit containing:
- A portable radio, torch and spare batteries.
- Stocks of fresh water and canned food.
- Matches, fuel lamp, portable stove, cooking gear, utensils, and can opener.
- Waterproof bags for clothing and valuables.
- A first aid kit, manual and masking tape for windows.
- Keep a list of emergency phone numbers handy, including numbers for your local Police, Fire, Ambulance, State Emergency Service, Local Council, Gas and Electricity Company and relatives.
- Check your local Council's disaster plan for action you should take during a flood.
+ When floods hit
- Listen to your local radio station for warnings and advice.
- Don't use your phone unless it is essential.
- Prepare to move vehicles, outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to higher locations.
- Consider which indoor items you will raise (eg furniture, clothing etc.) or empty (refrigerators, freezers etc.) if water threatens to enter your home.
- Check your emergency kit and consider what you will do with your pets.
+ If you need to evacuate
- If you decide to leave of your own accord, make sure you tell the Police or your local State Emergency Service as well as your neighbours.
- Make sure you pack warm clothing, essential medication, valuables, personal papers, photos and valuables in waterproof bags, to be taken with your emergency kit.
- Raise your furniture, clothing and valuables onto beds, tables and the roof space (place electrical items as high as possible).
- Empty and turn off refrigerators and freezers, leaving the doors open to help prevent them floating about.
- Turn off the power, water and gas and remember to take your mobile phone.
- Whether you leave or stay, put sandbags in toilet bowls and over all laundry/bathroom drain-holes to prevent sewage back-flow.
- Lock your home (remembering to take your keys) and take the recommended evacuation routes for your area.
+ After the flood
- Continue to listen to the local radio station for advice.
- Don't allow children to play in or near flood waters.
- Avoid entering flood waters. If you do have to enter floodwaters, wear solid shoes and check the depth and current with a stick. Stay away from drains, culverts and water over knee-depth.
- Don't use gas or electrical appliances that have been in flood water until they have been checked for safety.
- Don't eat food that has been in flood water.
- Boil tap water until water supplies have been declared safe.
- Inspect your home for damage to determine what repairs are needed.
- Wash, clean and disinfect your home before moving back in.
- Clean up debris in and around your property and prepare for disposal.
- If you are suffering from trauma or loss, contact support services to help you deal with the situation.
Cyclone
+ Before a cyclone hits
- Download the complete Preparing for Cyclones booklet Here.
- Check that your home is in a sound condition, especially the roof and eaves.
- Trim any tree branches hanging over your roof.
- Know your community disaster plan, check with your local council.
- Prepare an emergency kit containing:
- A portable radio, torch and spare batteries.
- Stocks of fresh water and canned food.
- Matches, fuel lamp, portable stove, cooking gear, utensils, and can opener.
- Waterproof bags for clothing and valuables.
- A first aid kit, manual and masking tape for windows.
- Keep a list of emergency phone numbers handy, including numbers for your local Police, Fire, Ambulance, State Emergency Service, Local Council, Gas and Electricity Company and relatives.
- Find out how and where to turn off power, gas and water supplies.
- Check that you have adequate household and contents insurance and which hazards are not covered by the policy.
- Store your important documents (eg wills, passports, photos, birth certificates) in a fire/water-proof container or safe deposit box.
+ When a Cyclone hits
- Store all loose items inside. Put wooden or plastic outdoor furniture in your pool (if you have one) and fill garbage/wheelie bins and dinghies with water (water can be used for flushing toilets if required).
- Fuel your car and park it under solid cover.
- Close shutters, board-up or heavily-tape all windows.
- Pack an evacuation kit including your emergency kit, warm clothing, essential medications, valuables, papers, photos and keepsakes in waterproof bags.
- Disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off the gas.
- Stay inside and shelter (well clear of windows) in the strongest part of the building (eg the cellar, internal hallway or bathroom).
- If the building starts to break up, protect yourself with mattresses, rugs or blankets or by sheltering under a strong table or bench. If necessary, hold on to a solid fixture such as a water pipe.
- Continue to listen to your portable radio for updates and advice.
- Beware of the calm 'eye' of the cyclone. If the wind suddenly drops, don't assume that the cyclone is over. Violent winds will soon resume from the opposite direction (it is best to wait for the official all-clear).
- If you are driving, STOP - but well away from the sea and clear of trees, power-lines and watercourses. Stay in your vehicle.
+ If you need to evacuate
- Based on predicted wind speeds and storm surge heights, you may be required to evacuate your home.
- Official advice will be given on local radio/TV about safe routes and when to evacuate. Make sure you wear strong shoes (not thongs) and clothing for protection.
- Switch off the power, water and gas, collect your evacuation and emergency kits and mobile phone and lock your home on the way out (don't forget your keys).
- If evacuating inland (out of town), take your pets and leave early to avoid traffic, flooding and wind hazards. If you are evacuating to a local shelter, follow the directions of Police and State Emergency Service personnel.
+ After the Cyclone
- Don't go outside until officially advised it is safe to do so. Check for gas leaks and don't use electrical appliances if wet.
- Continue to listen to your local radio for official warnings and advice.
- If you did evacuate your home, don't return until advised it is safe to do so.
- When you do return, use a recommended route and don't rush.
- Beware of fallen powerlines, damaged bridges, buildings and trees, and don't enter floodwaters.
- Heed all warnings and don't go sightseeing.
- Don't make any unnecessary telephone calls.
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