what to do in a
cyclone
How to Prepare for the Cyclone Season Help to Protect You and Your Property in Weipa and Surrounding Areas
• Stay home • Stay calm • Stay safe Weipa and the surrounding areas of the Cape are at risk from cyclones during the monsoon season (November to April). In a cyclone you need to look after yourself, your family, your property and animals that are in your care. Prepare Before a Cyclone •
Trim trees and de-nut coconut palms. Ensure that trees and branches are clear from your home and overhead powerlines. Do not attempt to clear trees from powerlines yourself - call Town Office for assistance.
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Speak to your family about the effects of cyclones and floods, and discuss the possibility of evacuation.
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Keep your car regularly fuelled.
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Be sure to have a First Aid Kit. Ensure that someone in the family has been trained in CPR and other First Aid.
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Have a good stock of tinned food for the family and any pets (eg. 3 days worth).
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Have alternative cooking equipment, for example, a gas barbecue.
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Have a list of important phone numbers handy.
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Consider the special needs of family members who are disabled or elderly, as they will need more time to prepare and evacuate.
When a Cyclone Advice is Issued Listen to your radio and ensure your family can safely reach home or find a secure place if the threat increases. Check your Cyclone Emergency Kit is ready. Cyclone Watch A Cyclone Watch is issued if a cyclone is likely to affect coastal or island communities within 48 hours. The Cyclone Watch will tell you where the cyclone is, what its movement is, how strong it is and identify the areas that could be affected by it. A Cyclone Watch is renewed 6 hourly, a Warning Phase is renewed 3 hourly, a Serious Threat 1 hourly and Flash Cyclone Advice is issued immediately.
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Cyclone Warning A Cyclone Warning is issued when gales or stronger winds are expected to affect coastal or island communities within 24 hours. In addition to the information provided with a Cyclone Watch, a Cyclone Warning will tell you any forecasts of heavy rainfall, flooding and abnormally high tides.
When the Cyclone Strikes Continue to listen to your radio, keep calm and stay inside. Take shelter in a strong section of the building, perhaps a bathroom. Have mattresses and blankets ready to help protect you and your family. Beware of the calm “eye” of the cyclone. The “eye” is the centre of the cyclone and the point where the pressure is the lowest. It is usually 20 to 40 km across, but can be up to 100km. The area immediately surrounding the “eye” is called the “wall”, a dense ring of cloud reaching upwards of 15km high, and marks the cyclone’s strongest winds and heaviest rainfall. The “eye” can take anytime from a few minutes to a few hours to pass. In the “eye” the weather is calm, however, after it crosses you will face the full force of the cyclone a second time but from the opposite direction. After the Cyclone has Passed Continue to listen to your radio. Don’t go outside until you are sure the storm has passed or until such information is officially issued. Pay attention to all warnings and only use the telephone if absolutely necessary. Don’t use any electrical equipment unless the appliance and you and your surrounds are completely dry. When cleaning up after the storm, stay clear of fallen power lines, damaged buildings and floodwaters. Be aware of the additional danger of a storm surge following the cyclone. Protect Your Pet Pets are not allowed in Cyclone Shelters. Ensure indoor animals are secure with your family. Continue to feed as normal. Protect outdoor animals by ensuring they have adequate shelter. Cyclone Severity Categories
Category 1 (Tropical Cyclone) Strongest winds are GALES with typical gusts over open flat land of 90 – 125km/h. Negligible house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Craft may drag moorings. CATEGORY 2 (Tropical Cyclone) Strongest winds are DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 125 – 164km/h.Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small craft may break moorings. CATEGORY 3 (Severe Tropical Cyclone) Strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 165 – 224km/h. Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failures likely. CATEGORY 4 (Severe Tropical Cyclone) Strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 225 – 279km/h. Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures. CATEGORY 5 (Severe Tropical Cyclone) Strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of more than 280km/h.Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.