Cyclone planning and preparation

Introduction

Tropical Cyclones are extremely powerful storms that form above the ocean. Sometimes they reach land, bringing dangerously high winds, tornadoes and large amounts of rainfall that can quickly escalate to flooding in vulnerable areas. This damage can occur near to shore or much further inland due depending on geographical features of that land and the intensity of the hurricane. It's essential to begin preparing the moment you are made aware that your community may be within the path of one.

Cyclone, hurricanes and typhoons

Cyclones often go by other names. A hurricane is a strong tropical cyclone that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean or northeastern Pacific Ocean whereas a typhoon occurs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. In the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, comparable storms are referred to as tropical cyclones. Often and generally they are simply referred to as Cyclones.

Winds over 120 km/h (75 mph) are referred to as having 'hurricane force' speeds.

Cyclones are named. Since the early 1950s, hurricanes have been named after women. In 1980, male names were introduced, and now the storms are named alphabetically, alternating between male and female names. These names are repeated every six years unless the storm is particularly severe.

Cyclone strength categories

When a cyclone is announced, it is often referred as having a certain category of strength. It is useful to know what those categories mean relative to their impacts such that you can better prepare.

Category 1

• Damaging winds. Slight or no house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Sea vessels may drag moorings.
• Maximum mean wind speed 63–88 km/h.
• Typical strongest gust is up to 125 km/h.

Category 2

• Destructive winds. Minor house damage. Significant damage to street signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small craft may break moorings.
• Maximum mean wind speed 89–117 km/h.
• Typical strongest gust 125–164 km/h.

Category 3

• Very destructive winds. Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Significant damage to crops and trees. Power failures likely.
• Maximum mean wind speed 118–159 km/h.
• Typical strongest gust 165–224 km/h.

Category 4

• Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Extensive damage to vegetation. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.
• Maximum mean wind speed 160–199 km/h.
• Typical strongest gust 225–279 km/h.

Category 5

• Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction of buildings and vegetation.
• Maximum mean wind speed greater than 200 km/h.
• Typical strongest gust greater than 279 km/h.

Preparing your community for a cyclone

Get the needed supplies

Start by making a list of people, animals and their needs. You will need to think about supplies if you stay, and supplies if you leave. Sometimes you may be forced to leave, for instance in an evacuation. See this page on Water storage for guidelines as to how much water is needed.

Gather food, water, and medicine. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit. A Go-Kit has 3 days of supplies that you can carry with you. See this page on Go bags for an outline. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.) A Stay-at-Home Kit has 2 weeks of supplies. Stores and pharmacies might be closed. Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container. Keep personal, financial, and medical records safe. Consider using zip-lock bags where possible to protect from water damage.

Acquire a simple AM/FM Radio and ensure it has charged batteries in it.

Work on a Connectivity Plan

• Ensure you are getting your emergency information and news from an authoritative source. Sign up to any bulletins or services you need to
• Ensure you have a working AM/FM radio in case mobile networks and your Internet connection fail. Have extra pre-charged replacement batteries ready
• Check you have the correct emergency numbers for your region
• Charge all mobile phones and check you have backup battery power with which to charge them
• If you have walkie-talkies or other means of long distance communication be sure they are charged and ready to be used

Preparing homes and buildings for a cyclone

Communities are usually warned 3 days in advance of a cyclone. These 3 days should be taken as a valuable opportunity to prepare. It is good to stop everything and focus on doing so. Here are some key steps to take to reduce harm to your home.

Get the needed tools

To prepare your home or community building for a cyclone, you will be needing tools. Here are some good ones to have.

• Ladder
• Hammer and plenty of nails
• Electric drill, screw bit and screws
• Rope
• Staple gun
• Extensible pruning saw
• Large roll of plastic sheeting and/or tarpaulins
• Get sandbags if possible
• Get a sump pump if possible
• Get an emergency backup power solution if possible. Battery power is safer than diesel generation in a cyclone.

Prepare your vehicle if you have one

Make sure your motorbike, car or truck is ready before the storm hits.

• Charge your car or fill your gas tank. Both, if it's a hybrid
• Move cars and trucks into your garage or under cover
• Prepare an emergency kit in your car
• Make sure your car has a charged torch, extra food and water for any journey

Prepare for strong winds

It is essential to ensure that not just your buildings but their surrounds are prepared to high winds.

• Prune any trees to stop loose or weak branches being torn off
• Ensure that any propane or gas tanks or anything carrying fuel are firmly strapped down outside. Do not bring them inside
• Tie down any loose objects outside the home as they can lift up and hurt people and animals
• Board up any glass and put strong shutters on windows. Use long screws rather than nails where possible
• Make the house as solid and secure as possible
• Fill any cracks or spaces to stop the wind getting in – the pressure of the wind during a hurricane can force roofs to lift

Prepare for flooding

Planning for large volumes of water in advance can protect you and your home from harm.

• Clean out drains, gutters and downspouts. Blocked drains will build up water and increase chances of structural damage and so flooding
• Place sandbags outside around the lowest points of your home to dam and slow water flow
• Consider installing a sump pump with battery backup
• Learn where your main fuse board is situated so you can turn it off if you need to
• Consider elevating the heating system, water heater, and electric panel if possible
• Unplug all devices and electrical equipment not needed and store them in an elevated location. Power surges and electrocution can occur during floods

Preparing to leave

It is possible you are instructed to evacuate. Alternatively, you may be given the option to stay. It is recommended to chose the former if you can do so safely as if you stay you may be without power and supplies for several days, unable to receive the help you need. Be sure you have an updated list of known shelters near you, if they exist.

Evacuating

• If you are urged evacuate, do so immediately
• Take your 'Go Kit' with you
• Only follow the recommended routes to the shelter or pickup location. Other routes may be blocked and trap you
• Once in the safe zone or shelter, do not try to return home until advised to

During the cyclone

• Take shelter in the dedicated storm shelter or the most interior room of your home safest from high winds and risk of flooding
• Do not move around, stay put
• Do not attempt to swim in a flood
• Close exterior and interior doors and windows. Pull curtains and blinds over windows. This could prevent injury from flying glass if the window breaks.
• Keep away from glass windows and large doors
• Consider listening to your radio throughout the event as broadcasts may contain crucial updates
• Avoid bathtubs, water taps, and sinks. Metal pipes and plumbing can conduct electricity if struck by lightning. Use your water from your emergency supplies.
• If flooding of your home looks likely, try to move to higher ground in advance. If this is not possible move to the highest interior point of the building you are in. Find your fuseboard and switch off all mains electricity to your home to reduce risk of electrocution

After the cyclone

If you are not at home, Wait until you have an official instruction that it is safe to return. Listen for and seek any official guidance as to the route to get home; do not take shortcuts. Avoid travelling flooded areas until it has subsided and is no longer moving.

• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. Any electrical infrastructure may be damaged and put you at risk of electrocution
• Try to avoid skin contact with floodwaters as they may contain sewage, bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill
• When working on you home and surrounds wear any available appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots
• Clean and disinfect everything in contact with floodwater
• Understand that you may be more exhausted than you know, so be sure not to overwork