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Cyclone planning and preparation: Difference between revisions
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*Typical strongest gust greater than 279 km/h. | *Typical strongest gust greater than 279 km/h. | ||
==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 for strong winds=== | |||
It is essential to ensure that not just your buildings but their surrounds are prepared to high winds<ref>https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html</ref><ref>https://www.shelterbox.org.nz/disasters-explained-hurricanes/</ref>. | |||
*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<ref>https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html</ref><ref>https://www.shelterbox.org.nz/disasters-explained-hurricanes/</ref>. | |||
*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 | |||
==Citations== | ==Citations== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||