Be Prepared for Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Pre-event Preparation

Educate and Prepare Your Household & your Workforce 

  1. Communicate your emergency plan and identify safe zones in your home and worker accommodation (generally interior, smaller rooms)
  2. Share contact information with family and loved ones

First Aid – ensure you have basic first aid supplies. This should include regular medication, antiseptics, bandages and a first aid manual

Emergency Kit – grab a plastic tub and keep this somewhere accessible.

    1. Water – at least 4 litres per person.
    2. If you have a bath or laundry tub, fill it/them for additional water.
    3. Non-perishable food – at least 3 days worth.
    4. Torch with extra batteries.
    5. Portable mobile chargers – fully pre-charged.
    6. Battery operated radio.
    7. Multi tool – for unexpected repairs.
    8. Personal hygiene items – include hand sanitizer, toilet paper and wet wipes.
    9. Important documents should be stored in a waterproof bag.
    10. If you have pets make sure they have their own kits with food, water, medications and any other essentials.

Home/Building reinforcements 

  1. Tape windows
  2. Secure outdoor items – pot plants, tables, toys etc.
  3. Check for structural issues and secure

Insurance and Documentation 

  1. Review insurance for proper home and flood insurance.
  2. Take photos of your possessions, business facilities and home if you are worried about flood risk

Know your flood zone. If your area is prone to flooding, it’s crucial to have a flood evacuation plan

During Event

Stay Informed 

  1. Listen to official warnings: Severe Weather, Flood, Cyclone Warnings and Emergency Alerts | Disaster Management | Queensland Government, Tropical Cyclone Alfred | Disaster Management | Queensland Government
  2. If evacuation is ordered, or if you are worried about flooding, leave early. Do not wait until the 11th The earlier you leave, the safer you and your family will be. Err on the side of caution and don’t leave things to chance.
  3. Avoid flooded or damaged roads.
  4. Bring your emergency kit, take additional water, supplies and clothes, including warm clothes.
  5. Evacuate to a shelter, or stay with family or friends outside of the storm’s projected path.

If Staying Home 

  1. Stay indoors. Keep away from windows and doors.
  2. Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest level if possible. Bathrooms and hallways are good places.
  3. Stay away from water and shut off utilities.
  4. Contact the SES for non life threatening emergency assistance on 132 500. Call 000 for life threatening emergencies.

Post Event 

  1. Wait for official all clear and listen for updates.
  2. Check surroundings, look firstly for downed power lines, damaged structures and flooding. Do not approach downed power lines and contact authorities immediately: Outages | Energex.
  3. Avoid walking in flooded areas. Water could be contaminated.
  4. Inspect your property, check for structural damage.
  5. Try to avoid using water unless authorities declare it safe.
  6. If you are experiencing a black out, check with Energex for updates.
  7. If you experience appliances struggling to function properly, or some appliances working and others not, flickering lights, this could be a brown out. Do not use water during a brown out. Try to avoid touching anything metal, including taps.  Turn off high power consumption appliances at the wall and contact Energex as soon as possible on 13 62 62.
  8. Check Queensland Traffic website for flooded roads and remember, if it’s flooded, forget it: Road Condition Information – QLDTraffic

Recovery 

  1. Contact family.
  2. Check on your neighbours.
  3. File insurance claims.
  4. Seek community support.
  5. Call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
  6. Seek mental health support if you are struggling. Natural disasters are extreme events that can impact your mental health. If you are feeling overwhelmed, detached, constantly irritable, angry or sad or suffering sudden sleep disturbances reach out to a loved one, a GP or mental health professional. The sooner you seek support the quicker you can recover:  Natural disasters and your mental health – Beyond Blue – Beyond Blue

See further comprehensive information here: QFES-Tropical-Cyclone-Preparedness-Guide.pdf

Thank you to Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace for sharing this information