Prepare for cyclones

Reduce the impact of a cyclone on your family and your home by making a plan well before the bad weather arrives.

Before cyclone season

Although you may get warnings of a cyclone several days in advance, these powerful weather systems can develop quickly so it's important to prepare your home and emergency kit well in advance of cyclone season. 

• Decide what you will do if a cyclone hits 
  • Will you stay at home or leave? 
  • Decide what circumstances will trigger you to evacuate your home. 
  • What preparation is needed around your home? 
  • Make or check your list of emergency contacts.
  • Prepare your emergency kit.
• Stick your plan on the fridge — everyone in your household should be familiar with the plan and know what to do.
• Keep spare batteries — have a battery-powered radio in your emergency kit. If power and mobile networks fail, you can still listen to ABC Radio for updates during an emergency. 
• Know your risk — check flood maps and if your home is in a low-lying area, decide where you'll go if there's a storm surge or flash flooding.
• Check your paperwork — make sure your insurance covers cyclone damage.
• Make a plan for your animals — Think about what items pets may need in an evacuation and include that in your emergency kit. 

If you have livestock

Planning ahead is the best way to keep livestock safe in cyclone season.

• Think about where livestock can shelter — Can they stay in their usual paddock? Are there parts of your property where flooding is less likely?
• Minimise hazards — What can you do to make conditions safer for stock during a cyclone?
• Ask for help — Write a list of people and organisations who can help with your animals if there's a warning issued.
• Tell someone your plan — Tell immediate family, friends and neighbours about your plan.
• Get ready to act early — Once a warning is issued, move livestock to the highest area of the property if flooding is a risk. Ensure stock are not near powerlines.
• Be prepared to provide enough supplementary feed (such as hay) and water for at least five days and put it in an area least likely to flood.
• Do not cut fences along roadsides or leave external property gates open.
• Make final preparations early, well before the cyclone is an imminent threat.
• Do not move animals when a cyclone is approaching.

When a cyclone warning is issued

• Stay listening to your local ABC Radio station and check your local ABC Facebook page  regularly for instructions and updates on the cyclone, as the path can change quickly.
• The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) is usually broadcast when a cyclone is 12 hours or less away. If you are not familiar with the SEWS, listen to it below. 

• Plan care for your pets and livestock if you can't take them with you. Animals aren't usually allowed in temporary evacuation shelters.
• Search for warnings and more information in your location on the ABC Emergency incident map.
• Check your emergency survival kit and keep it handy in case you need to move quickly. 
• Fill fuel tanks and any jerry cans with fuel. 
• Check on your neighbours and ask if they know a warning has been issued.
• Clear your property of loose items and bring outdoor furniture, children's toys and gardening equipment inside or under cover.
• Move vehicles, bicycles and personal mobility devices undercover. Ensure your handbrake is on and the vehicle is in gear.
• Fill buckets and bathtubs with water in case the water supply is cut. Make sure you have enough water purification tablets or other water purification options. It is recommended to have access to 10 litres of water per person.
• Close window shutters securely, if you have them.
• Close all doors and draw the curtains, if you have them.
• Bring children and pets indoors and remain inside until told otherwise.
• Action your livestock plan, if relevant to you.
• Consider moving to a safer place, taking your emergency kit and anything needed to manage your health or disability.
• Let friends and family know where you are.

Emergency services

Stay up to date with BOM warnings. The Bureau provides regular updates on the direction, speed and location of the cyclone and forecasts when and where it will make landfall. The BOM radar can show you the intensity and direction of rainfall. 

For assistance with cyclone damage call the SES on 132 500. If your life is at risk, call triple-0.

Stay listening to your local ABC radio station for regular updates when a cyclone warning is issued.