“Don’t wait until a cyclone has been named to start preparing for it.”
That’s the message from the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) as they continue to monitor a tropical low in the Coral Sea.
Now is the time to prepare your homes, families and businesses for possible high-risk weather.
TLDMG Chair Jenny Hill said they were continuing to monitor the weather system and would keep the community informed.
“There’s nothing to panic or stress about. Weather is very unpredictable and the system is still a long way off from impacting the Queensland coast,” Cr Hill said. “With a weekend between us and possible development of a tropical cyclone, now is the time to prepare your home by cleaning out gutters, trimming trees close to the house, mowing the grass and securing items in the yard and around the property. It’s free to take green waste to our waste transfer station and they’re open over the weekend. It is also a timely reminder to review your emergency kit and emergency plan if you haven’t done it recently. Your emergency kit needs enough supplies for all your family members, including your pets, to survive for a minimum of three days. When preparing your kit, think about what you will need if you are without power for a few days. That includes making sure you have access to a portable radio and some batteries in case your phone goes flat, and you need to keep up-to-date with the latest information. Make sure you store your kit in an easy to access area and everyone in the house knows where it is. Keep items in airtight or waterproof containers, update your kit regularly, check expiration dates and replace old items. Now is also a good time to look over your insurance policies to check what you are and aren’t covered for and to take photos around the home.”
“Use the time to prepare calmly.”
TLDMG Deputy Chair Kurt Rehbein said it was also a good idea to become familiar with Council’s Emergency Management and Disaster Dashboard.
“The dashboard is a point of truth for accurate and timely information before, during and after a high-risk weather event,” Cr Rehbein said. “It provides essential information on road closures, power outages, weather warning and more. Also spend some time getting to know your risks and your neighbours. New people may have moved in near you recently and its important they are prepared for high-risk weather events. Good preparations mean you’re prepared in case the worst should happen. Council’s website has easy to follow information and advice for you to get ready.”
For more information about preparing for emergency events, head to the Emergency Management and Disaster Dashboard
Tips for preparing your home or business:
· Secure and tighten fixings and tie-down bolts on your roof
· Clean gutters and downpipes
· Trim trees and overhanding branches
· Remove and store loose furniture or items that could become airborne projectiles
· Find out how to turn off mains power for gas, water and electricity
· Purchase emergency supplies such as masking tape, tarps, sandbags and water containers
· Check your insurance policy to make sure it is current and know what events you’re covered for
· Take photos of home and business contents and belongings for evidence in case damaged during the event.