How to prepare for a cyclone

Person's hand writing down on a notepad

Cyclones are a part of life for people living in Australia’s coastal areas. On average, Australia experiences 11 cyclones a year, from the northwest coast of Western Australia to communities located around Queensland, causing serious destruction and devastation.

The damage caused by cyclones has a significant impact on communities both in the short and long term. However, with the right preparation and knowledge, the risk of cyclone damage can be significantly reduced. 

Here, we explain how to prepare for a cyclone in four easy-to-follow steps, so you know what to do in an emergency. Plus, we’ll explore how fundraising can be used to support those Aussie communities that are affected.

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Cyclone preparation: Understand the risk

Cyclones typically impact all regions of Australia from November to April. Cyclone-prone areas include the coastline between Exmouth and Broome in Western Australia and communities within 50 kilometres of the coastline from Bundaberg to Thursday Island in Queensland. However, Aussies in other states and territories can also be affected.

Cyclones vary in strength and the level of destruction they cause, exposing people to destructive winds, torrential rainfall, flooding, dangerous storm surges, and heavy swells. Developing from low-pressure systems over warm oceans in the tropics, these powerful weather systems are capable of significantly damaging built and natural environments.

Fortunately, unlike other extreme weather conditions, meteorologists can identify cyclone formation well in advance. This means public warnings can be issued before a cyclone strikes, allowing Australian homeowners and businesses time to prepare.

H2: How to prepare for a cyclone in Australia

Cyclone preparation is key to avoiding mass damage and destruction, making all the difference in saving Australian lives and livelihoods. While it’s impossible to control when and where a cyclone will strike, there are steps you can take to minimise its impact.

Here are four top tips to help you prepare for a cyclone in Australia:

1. Create a plan

Having a plan ensures everyone in your household knows what to do if a cyclone has been forecast. Start by considering some of the things you need to think about with your cyclone preparation plan, including:

Not only do you have to decide what to do during a cyclone, but once the cyclone has passed you’ll also need to plan for what to do next. You should also try to review your plan at least once a year, updating any important information.

Check out the Queensland Government’s Household Severe Weather Emergency Plan, which includes all the information you should record in advance.

2. Pack your cyclone emergency kit

To aid you and your family’s short-term safety, you’ll need to create an emergency kit for when a cyclone hits. This should be kept somewhere easily accessible in case you’re in a rush. Here are some things to include in your cyclone emergency kit:

Plus, if you’re having to evacuate your home and take shelter elsewhere, you should pack:

Depending on the severity of the cyclone, you could be without power or water for weeks and shops may be unable to open, so make sure you pack accordingly.

3. Prepare your property

In terms of your property, cyclone preparation needs to begin at the start of every season. Here are some of the things you should consider:

You’ll also need to consider any pets and livestock you have. Ensure any pets are properly identified with a name tag or microchip and stock registers for your livestock are up-to-date. 

It’s worth speaking to your local government about any additional pet or livestock welfare arrangements in place during a cyclone.

4. Stay informed

Stay informed and ensure everybody in your home is ready to act in fast-changing circumstances. It’s important to find out where your evacuation and recovery centres are and how to get there, as they might change from year to year and in line with the scale of the cyclone.

You should also check friends, family, and other members of the community are fully up to speed and prepared. Here are some methods for ensuring you stay in the loop:

Start a cyclone fundraiser with GoFundMe

Now you know how to prepare for a cyclone, you’re one step closer to minimising the damage caused by this extreme weather event. However, not everyone can be so fortunate, and no matter how refined your cyclone preparation is, the destruction caused by a cyclone can be unavoidable.

When disaster strikes, communities around the country rely on the generosity of fellow Aussies to help them get back on their feet. This could involve financial support to assist with home repairs or local food bank donations to help those who have lost their homes to a cyclone.

If you want to make a difference and help people recover from cyclone damage, then fundraising could be the answer. With GoFundMe – Australia’s #1 crowdfunding platform – you can start your fundraising journey in just a few clicks.

We offer powerful tools to enhance your fundraiser and expert advice on how to ensure your emergency fundraiser succeeds, such as:

We’re here to help you support communities affected by cyclones and other natural disasters across Australia.

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