504
edits
Cyclone planning and preparation: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m
→After the cyclone
| (5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
==Introduction== | ==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. | 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''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone</ref>. Often and generally they are simply referred to as ''Cyclones''. | 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''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone</ref>. Often and generally they are simply referred to as ''Cyclones''. | ||
| Line 8: | Line 10: | ||
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. | 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== | ==Cyclone strength categories== | ||
| Line 80: | Line 81: | ||
*Get a sump pump 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. | *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<ref>https://www.cdc.gov/hurricanes/safety/index.html</ref>. | |||
*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=== | ===Prepare for strong winds=== | ||
| Line 102: | Line 112: | ||
*Learn where your main fuse board is situated so you can turn it off if you need to | *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 | *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== | ==Preparing to leave== | ||
| Line 123: | Line 134: | ||
*Consider listening to your radio throughout the event as broadcasts may contain crucial updates | *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. | *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. | *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 traveling flooded areas until it has subsided and is no longer moving<ref>https://www.cdc.gov/hurricanes/safety/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html</ref>. | |||
*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 | |||
===Protect yourself from dangerous animals and insects=== | |||
*Use insect repellent (bug spray) with DEET or picaridin | |||
*Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when you're outside | |||
*Learn how to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites if they are present in your region | |||
*Stay away from wild or stray animals after a storm | |||
*Report dead animals to local officials. | |||
===Protect yourself from damaged buildings=== | |||
Cyclones often make buildings fragile. Buildings standing after the storm has subsided may be damaged in ways you cannot see and may not be safe. | |||
*Do not enter a building known to be damaged or a building you are unsure about until local authorities determine it is safe | |||
*Leave your home or building if you hear shifting or unusual noises. Strange noises could mean the building about to fall | |||
==Citations== | ==Citations== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||