Prior preparation is the best way to survive any natural disaster.
While cyclones and flooding are most common in our area, we could also experience fire, tsunami, earthquake and landslide.
It is important to know what you will do in each scenario
- Know your risk.
- Decide in advance if you will evacuate or shelter in place.
- Know your evacuation route.
- Have an emergency kit.
- Take steps to limit damage to your property.
Prepare your family by discussing and writing down
- What might happen during a cyclone, flood, storm or bushfire?
- What will you do if an emergency happens and you are in different locations (school, work, home)?
- Where you would evacuate to?
- Your emergency meeting places.
- How and when to call 000 or 112 from your mobile.
Preparing your home, cars, boat and pets for all disasters
Ahead of our usual disaster season, when you have plenty of time to prepare, go through this checklist to make sure everything is ready. Preparing in advance saves time and reduces the number of things you have to do when a disaster is about to strike.
Home
- Clean up the yard.
- Trim trees and over hanging branches.
- Keep your roof in good condition and check it regularly.
- Remove debris from gutters.
- Check and fix loose fittings, such as railings.
- Check windows and install shutters if possible.
- Get to know your neighbours.
- Hold a family meeting to prepare your household Emergency Plan so everyone knows what to do, where to meet, and how to get out.
- Identify how and where to turn off the mains supply for water, power and gas.
- Store poisons up high.
Car
- Ensure your car insurance is current and that it covers your asset adequately.
- When severe weather warnings are issued, park vehicles under cover, away from trees, power lines and waterways.
- Ensure your car is fully fuelled.
Pets
- Secure animals before an emergency event, or use a secure pet carrier/cage/leash if you are transporting them. Boarding shelters may also be an option for your pet.
- Ensure all vaccinations are current.
- Make sure your pet can be identified – tag and microchip them where possible.
- If evacuating with your pet, make sure you have their medications, food, water, bedding, leash, toys and consider their sanitation needs.
- Have a current photo of each of your pets.
Boats
Maritime Safety Queensland recommends that mariners plan, prepare and follow advice when it comes to severe weather season.
- Get a copy of the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan for your area and read it.
- Explore your suggested shelter area or inlet before cyclone season starts.
- Update your contact details with the authorities.
- Organise options to move your boat if you will be away during severe weather season.
- Keep a record of emergency telephone numbers handy (for example, Regional Harbour Master, Volunteer Marine Rescue organisations, Queensland Police Service).
- Know when and where your vessel needs to be during an evacuation.
- Use suitable lines to secure your boat. Double up on mooring lines. Check they are in good condition and are the right size and length.
- Secure loose articles below deck.
- Secure all hatches.
- Check your boat is watertight.
- Reduce wind loading and remove furled sails and covers, bimini tops and any clears.
- Check all bilge pumps work and that all self draining holes are clear.
Warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology issues weather information and warnings.
The Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group uses this information to make decisions about what action people should take.
WARNINGS ARE URGENT – you need to act immediately on the information provided.
Your emergency kit contains a collection of essential items that will equip your household in the event of emergencies like cyclones, floods, bushfires and storms. Your kit should be kept in a sturdy, easy to carry bag or waterproof storage box and stored in a safe place that is easy to access.
Include items you’d need for several days in case of disruption to essential services (i.e.power and water supplies). Also, include the equipment you’ll need to prepare meals with no power. Keep your kit in a waterproof storage container and store in an easy to accesslocation. Check your kit every season to stock up and rotate supplies to ensure provisions are fresh and safe to use.
Other items include:
- Food and water for at least three days:
- 10 litres of water per person as 3 days supply
- Non-perishable food
- Cash
- Can opener, cutlery and cooking equipment
- Medical and sanitation supplies:
- First Aid Kit and manual
- Essential medications, prescriptions anddosage
- Toilet paper and personal hygiene items
- Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap,shampoo etc.
- Light:
- Battery or wind-up torch/lantern (extrabatteries)
- Communications:
- Battery powered or wind-up radio(extra batteries)
- Fully charged mobile phone and charger
- Prepaid phone cards and coins for phonebooth calls
- Clothing and footwear:
- Change of warm protective clothes andshoes for everyone
- Important documents:
- Keep original or certified copies
- Scan copies to USB or online storage
The potential need to evacuate where you live might happen at short notice. Preparing an Evacuation Kit now will save you time and be one less thing to stress about in the event of a disaster.
As well as those essential items in your Emergency Kit, if you are evacuating you will need to take additional items with you so you are equipped to live away from home for several days.
Items to consider include:
- Blanket
- Sleeping bag
- Kids toys/entertainment
- Pillows
- Warm clothes
- Valuables + mementos
- Essential medication, scripts & eye glasses
- Mobile phone + charger
- Important documents in sealed bags + cash
- Baby formula + nappies
- Toiletries
The Queensland Ambulance Service also recommends that families include the following in their First Aid Kits:
| 1 x packet of plastic strips |
1 x sterile combine dressing (9 x 10 cms) |
1 x resuscitation mask |
| 1 x roll non allergenic tape |
1 x sterile combine dressing (20 cms x 20 cms) |
2 x bottles eye irrigation (15 mil) |
| 2 x sterile eye pads |
1 x medium wound dressing (14) |
1 x tube anticeptic cream (50 gms) |
| 4 x triangular bandages |
2 x non-adhesive dressings (5 x 7.5 cms) |
1 x wound closure steri-strip |
| 1 x conforming gauze bandage (10 cms) |
1 x non-adhesive dressing (10 x 7.5 cms) |
1 x stainless steel splinter remover |
| 1 x conforming gauze bandage (7.5 cms) |
1 pair stainless steel scissors |
5 x alcohol swabs |
| 1 x conforming gauze bandage (5 cms) |
1 x square gauze swabs |
1 x bottle antiseptic solution |
| 1 x hospital crepe bandage (10 cms) |
1 pack (10) latex gloves |
1 x first aid hints booklet |
For more information go to https://getready.qld.gov.au
Where to get information
During emergencies, the Burdekin Shire Council is your official source of information.
- Like the Burdekin Shire Council Disaster & Emergency Information Facebook Page for up to date information provided directly from the Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group https://www.facebook.com/BurdekinDisasterInformation
- Go to the Burdekin Emergency Dashboard for all latest emergency updates https://disaster.burdekin.qld.gov.au/
- Log on to the Bureau of Meteorology website for weather updates, warnings and information www.bom.gov.au
- ABC TV and Radio are the official Emergency News channels. Watch and listen for emergency updates.
- Tune your radio to your local radio station ABC North Qld 630 AM, Sweet FM 97.1FM or 4TO Townsville 102.3FM.
- Further information on preparing, emergency alerts and information can be accessed at www.disaster.qld.gov.au or https://www.qld.gov.au/alerts
Listen out for
- The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) is used at the beginning of serious warnings. SEWS is a wailing siren sound used throughout Australia for serious emergency events.
- To listen to the SEWS go to: www.disaster.qld.gov.au/Warnings_and_Alerts/pages/About_SEWS.aspx
- Emergency Alert voice messages to your landline and text messages to your mobile telephone.
- Local updates and community safety announcements on radio and television.
- Emergency Services personnel who may door-knock your area to pass on warnings.
Once this advice is given, act immediately, ensure all people in your house are aware of the warning and advice provided, check on neighbours and friends who may need assistance and activate your household Emergency Plan.