Ultimate Guide to Cyclone Emergency Resources

Prepare for a Cyclone

Prepare your household, including family members and the home, for an emergency through four straightforward steps. Utilise the household emergency plan to document essential contacts, designated meeting locations, telephone numbers, and medical information, ensuring that all household members know the appropriate actions to take during an emergency.

Prepare for Evacuation

Residents in flood- or bushfire-prone regions should proactively plan for evacuation to optimise response time when official evacuation orders are issued. Identify the essential items for your evacuation kit and outline the necessary steps before evacuation.

Prepare an Emergency Kit for You & Your Pet

Identify essential items for your emergency kit and additional supplies during storm or cyclone season. Utilise the checklist to verify the adequacy of food, water, medical supplies, clothing, footwear, tools, and essential documents. The cyclone is likely to result in power outages, potentially of extended duration; therefore, an emergency generator, such as the Jackery Portable Power Station, is essential. 

Develop an emergency plan for pets and ensure they are prepared for relocation to temporary animal shelters when necessary. Determine the components for your pet emergency kit, including essential information such as identification and vaccination records required for admitting your pet to an animal shelter.

Prepare Your Residence

Guidance and recommendations for preparing your residence for emergencies. Implement the recommended tasks to reduce the risk of damage to your property before the onset of storm or cyclone season. Determine the appropriate actions to take if residing in a flood-prone region or an area susceptible to severe storms and the necessary steps to follow up on issuing a severe weather warning.

Examine Your Neighbours

Investigate methods by which you and your neighbours can assist one another during emergencies. Familiarise yourself with your neighbours before an emergency and ensure you check on them before and after such events. Utilise our template to document essential information regarding your neighbours.

Stay Informed

Remain updated on severe weather alerts and other emergencies to ensure prompt response when instructed to take action. Determine methods to receive alerts, identify online information sources, recognise pertinent signals, and establish emergency contacts.

Household Resilience Program

The Household Resilience Programme supports qualifying homeowners in coastal regions of Central and Northern Queensland in enhancing their residences' resilience to cyclonic events.

Owner-occupiers residing in houses constructed before 1984 and within 50 kilometres of the coastline from Bundaberg to Cape York and extending west to the Queensland/Northern Territory border are eligible to apply for a Queensland Government grant. This grant covers 80% of the cost of improvements, with a maximum value of $15,000, including GST.

The programme receives funding from the Australian Government and is administered by the Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works. Specific improvement projects qualify for funding under the Household Resilience Programme. These projects must be executed on existing structures to fulfil the program's objectives of enhancing cyclone resilience for homes constructed before 1984. Grant funding is unavailable for extensions to existing structures or the replacement of structures.

Cyclone Emergency Resources: During a Cyclone

In the event of a cyclone, it is advisable to remain indoors, avoid windows, and seek shelter in the most structurally sound area of the residence, such as a hallway or bathroom. Heed local authorities for updates and adhered to their directives. Recognise the "eye" of the cyclone, which may present a misleading calm before the resurgence of intense winds. 

Tropical cyclones, called hurricanes, are characterised by gale-force winds, substantial rainfall, flooding, and coastal storm surges. This presents significant potential for risk. A plan is essential for ensuring your and your family's safety during a cyclone.  

Tropical cyclones typically have a life cycle of 4 to 7 days, allowing authorities sufficient time to issue cyclone warnings. This enables individuals residing in cyclone-prone areas to implement cyclone-preparedness strategies.

Cyclone Alert

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issues Tropical Cyclone Advisories, which typically fall into one of two categories.

A Cyclone Watch indicates that gales are anticipated within a 48-hour timeframe but not within 24 hours.

A Cyclone Warning indicates that gales are anticipated within the next 24 hours or are currently in effect.

These warnings must be heeded; they serve as a prompt to prepare for the cyclone. Alerts from the BOM or local news sources typically characterise the anticipated intensity of a cyclone using specific categories. The table below delineates the functioning of cyclone categories and the corresponding expectations.

Local governments maintain disaster dashboards and websites that disseminate critical information to assist communities during and after disasters. Numerous council disaster dashboards allow users to subscribe to local weather alerts and notifications. 

The Bureau of Meteorology's BOM Weather App enables users to configure weather warning notifications on their mobile devices for up to three locations. This feature encompasses various hazard options, including floods, severe thunderstorms, fire weather, heatwaves, severe weather, tropical cyclones, and tsunamis.

Sheltering at Home

If a cyclone alert impacts your area, prompt action is essential. Refuel your vehicle in preparation for potential evacuation, then proceed indoors with your pets and follow these steps:

Deactivate electricity, gas, and water supplies, and disconnect appliances.
Ensure that window shutters are closed or utilise packing tape to secure any broken glass.
Assemble your family in the most structurally sound area of the house, such as a stairwell, bathroom, or hallway.
Maintain possession of your emergency kit.
Consult your portable battery-operated radio or the internet for updates or new directives.

If your home starts to crumble during the cyclone, secure yourself to a robust fixture, such as a water pipe, or take refuge beneath a sturdy table or bed. For protection, use a mattress, tarpaulin, or blankets.    

If You Decide to Leave Before a Cyclone Hits

Before departing from your residence, ensure that all individuals are attired in appropriate clothing and equipped with durable footwear. Inform family members who are not present that you are departing and advise them against attempting to return home during the cyclone. 

If pets cannot be taken, they should be left untied with food and water in a secure location, such as a garage or laundry room.

Secure all windows, lock the doors, and inform friends or family of your destination.
If you are in a vehicle during a cyclone, it is advisable to pull over in an area free from watercourses, trees, and power lines and remain inside the vehicle.

Be Aware of Cyclone Eye

A distinctive characteristic of cyclones is the eye of the storm, which serves as the central point around which the winds circulate. Wind gusts can decrease significantly when the eye traverses a region, representing a transient pause. As the cyclone progresses along its trajectory, the damaging winds will reemerge.

The eye of a cyclone may present a misleading appearance. Arron Mann advises against assuming that a temporary decrease in wind gusts indicates the cyclone has subsided and that it is safe to venture outdoors. "It may represent the eye of the cyclone overhead, with subsequent conditions frequently being more severe." Maintain safety by remaining indoors.

The most reliable method to ascertain that a cyclone has concluded is to await the official all-clear announcement. Once the cyclone has passed, one may proceed outdoors or commence the return journey home. Despite thorough planning, life-threatening situations may still arise. Your shelter may sustain damage, or an individual may experience illness or injury. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000.

Emergency responders will attempt to assist you. Hazardous conditions may cause delays. When sheltering in your home, it is crucial to understand the associated risks and potential experiences.

Cyclone Emergency Resources: After a Cyclone

Cyclones cause significant destruction, and the period immediately following one poses considerable hazards. This is significant as it marks the emergence of hidden hazards such as downed power lines, unstable structures, and contaminated water. This document outlines actions following a cyclone and provides relevant cyclone emergency resources.

Replacing Lost or Destroyed Documents

Residents of a designated disaster zone may qualify for free document replacement services. The Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (RBDM) will issue complimentary replacement life event certificates to individuals who have lost, damaged or destroyed their certificates due to a declared disaster area.

Residents of the affected area who have experienced loss, damage, or destruction of their certificates due to a declared disaster may request replacements.
I have previously possessed the certificate.

A replacement for a certificate lost or damaged under various circumstances can be requested.

Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Civil Partnership Certificate

Housing Help After a Disaster

Seek assistance if your residence has sustained damage or been obliterated due to a disaster or meteorological event. 
Contact 13 QGOV at 13 74 68.
For interpreter services, please contact 1800 512 451.

Community Recovery Hotline

Phone: 1800 173 349
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The Community Recovery Hotline assists in applying for financial aid and facilitates connections to relevant emotional support services.

If You Can't Return to Your Home

If you are unable to return to your residence
The nearest Housing Service Centre can assist individuals who cannot return to their residences due to a disaster. They will evaluate your circumstances and help you locate emergency housing. Contact a Housing Service Centre.

When disaster strikes, specific locations qualify for financial assistance, including grants for necessities such as food, clothing, and medical care and support for the loss of essential utilities like electricity, gas, and water.

House Rebuilding & Repairing Tips

Cyclones, similar to other natural disasters, can significantly damage infrastructure, residences, and various properties. Light-construction buildings, specifically manufactured homes and other residential structures, typically experience the most significant damage during cyclones.

Solve Urgent Repairs: Certain repairs must be conducted promptly to avert additional damage to the property or personal injury. It is advisable to engage a professional to evaluate the situation regarding these repairs to mitigate risks to yourself and your family. Additionally, residing in your home under such conditions is not recommended. Repairs requiring immediate attention may encompass:
Water or gas leaks
Weak or fallen trees
Broken doors or windows that need to be boarded or tarped up
Evidence of mold
Fallen power lines

Focus on Most Used Rooms: After addressing any urgent matters in your residence, it is advisable to formulate a plan for the remaining repairs. This involves compiling a list of necessary tasks, prioritising maintenance, and engaging professionals to execute each repair. 

When preparing to undertake home repairs, it is advisable to prioritise the main areas: the kitchen and the bathroom. It is crucial to prioritise renovating essential spaces, as sleeping can occur in various locations, whereas cooking requires specific facilities.

Physical & Mental Health Help After a Cyclone

Providing physical and mental health support is essential after a cyclone in Australia. For enquiries regarding physical health, contact health direct at 1800 022 222 or 13 HEALTH (13 43 26 58) in Queensland, and dial 000 for urgent medical assistance. For mental health support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14, Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636, or Head to Health at 1800 595 212.        

Physical Health Help:

For assistance with physical health, contact 1800 022 222 for 24/7 advice from a registered nurse, or dial 13 HEALTH (13 43 26 58) in Queensland. 
Healthdirect provides access to local Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. 
Dial 000 for immediate assistance from police, fire, or ambulance services. 
Contact 1800 173 349 for guidance and assistance. 
For individualised recovery assistance in New South Wales, please contact 13 77 88.  

Mental Health Help:

Contact 13 11 14 for crisis support. 
For mental health support, please contact 1300 224 636. 
For guidance and connection to local mental health services, please call 1800 595 212. 
Contact 1800 551 800 for mental health support for young individuals. 
Access online mental health resources at au.reachout.com. 
Contact 1300 789 978 for support regarding men's mental health. 
Contact 1800 187 263 or engage in an online chat for individuals experiencing mental illness.    

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Cyclone Emergencies

Cyclones frequently result in significant power outages; consequently, a portable power station can provide backup electricity for essential functions when the grid is compromised. 

Maintaining communication with family, emergency services, and authorities is essential during a cyclone; a power station can support the operation of necessary communication equipment. Portable power stations enable individuals reliant on medical equipment, such as oxygen concentrators or ventilators, to maintain life support systems.  

Jackery Portable Power Stations are suitable for emergencies involving cyclones, hurricanes, and storms. They provide a reliable and steady power supply for communication devices, medical equipment, essential household appliances, and electronics. They can be paired with Jackery Solar Panels to utilise solar energy without limitations. During prolonged inclement weather in Australia, power stations can be efficiently recharged indoors using outlets or carports.         

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus offers an expandable capacity ranging from 2 to 12 kWh, making it appropriate to address unforeseen power outages from cyclones. This device can charge 99% of household appliances and electronics, including lights, radios, phones, and computers. A 20ms EPS ensures critical devices, including refrigerators and CPAP machines, remain operational immediately during a power outage. The product operates at a noise level of 30 dB during charging, ensuring a quiet experience.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus accommodates up to five expandable battery packs, increasing power capacity from 2 kWh to 12 kWh, fulfilling most emergency power needs. The Explorer 2000 Plus achieves a full solar charge in 6 hours using six SolarSaga 100W solar panels. This power source attains full autonomy through solar energy utilisation for charging, thereby removing dependence on the power grid. The device can be recharged using a wall outlet in 1.7 hours or a carport in 25 hours.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus utilises advanced Lithium Technology, which enhances temperature resistance, thereby ensuring efficient and safe operation of the cells. The integrated cooling system enhances heat dissipation efficiency by 30% and incorporates various protective features, including shock and fire resistance, ensuring a comprehensive, safe charging experience.

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus

Compared to the Explorer 2000 Plus, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus, which offers an expandable capacity of 1.26 to 5 kWh, is more compact and better suited for home use. The Jackery 1000 Plus Power Station provides a rated output of 2,000W and a peak power of 4,000W, enabling the operation of essential devices such as refrigerators and lights. 

This generator features Dual PD 100W and various output ports (2*2000W AC, 2*USB-A, 2*USB-C, and 1*DC carport), enabling rapid and simultaneous charging of multiple devices, including laptops, computers, and tablets. During and after cyclones or other emergencies, it can provide electricity for lighting, power a kettle to produce drinkable water and support the operation of medical devices.

Employ advanced IBC technology to ensure a rapid solar charging time of approximately 4.5 hours when using four SolarSaga 100W panels. Achieve exceptional serenity through our quiet, zero-emission technology.

The Jackery 1000 Plus Solar Generator establishes new benchmarks for sustainability, being the first in the industry to receive verification from TÜV SÜD. Adopt renewable solar energy, which produces no fumes, emissions, or noise. This solution requires no maintenance, serving as a means to promote sustainable living and decrease carbon emissions while aiding in the preservation of the environment.

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

Cyclone Emergency Resources FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about cyclone emergency resources in Australia.

1. What's in a cyclone kit?

An emergency kit must contain canned food and water for five to seven days, a first aid kit, necessary medications, cash, and a battery-operated radio with spare batteries for receiving alerts. Understand the cyclone warning levels and the corresponding actions required for each level.

2. How do you protect yourself in a cyclone?

During a cyclone warning, evacuate low-lying beaches and coastal areas.
Depart promptly before the flooding of your route to elevated terrain or refuge.
Do not procrastinate, as it may result in being stranded.
If your residence is robustly constructed on elevated terrain, seek refuge in the secure section of the dwelling.

3. Should you open windows during a cyclone?

Secure windows with boards. Secure storm shutters and close blinds or curtains. Prepare sandbags to mitigate water intrusion into your residence. Ensure that all loose items in the yard are secured.

4. What is the safest room in the house during a cyclone?

During the storm, seek shelter in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level. Establish numerous barriers between yourself and the external environment. Avoid proximity to windows, skylights, and glass doors.

Final Thoughts

In summary, preparedness is essential when confronting the risk of cyclones in Australia. Proactively utilising available cyclone emergency resources, engaging with official channels such as the Bureau of Meteorology, and carefully planning actions before, during, and after a cyclone can substantially reduce risks for individuals and communities. A comprehensive approach to cyclone preparedness is essential for safeguarding lives and minimising damage, encompassing the assembly of emergency kits, developing evacuation plans, and understanding post-cyclone recovery procedures.