On
this page is what you should have in your cyclone kit.
I
remember very well how before the severe tropical cyclone Ita arrived
in Cooktown, I was sitting, shocked, trying to think what should I have in my cyclone
kit.
It depends a bit
on whether you stay at home during the cyclone, whether you go to friends and
family, or whether you decide to go
to the cyclone shelter in your town.
If you stay at home it is obviously not a bag you pack, but things you have prepared and handy.
If you evacuate to a
cyclone
shelter
- to the things below you add a matress, blankets, pillows, clothes to
sleep and anything else you need during the night or first thing in the
morning.
Light and an Information Source
Pack a torch and make sure you
also do have spare batteries. In strong cyclones you are
most likely to lose power. It is also a very good idea
to have candles and waterproof matches in your cyclone kit.
Pack a battery operated
radio and make sure you also do have spare batteries for the same reason. Particularly when you decide
to stay at home or at friends',
you need to listen to the radio for your safety. In the shelter this
is taken care for you, but you may still want to listen to the radio to
hear how the cyclone is going.
The TV signal will fail
in strong cyclones, so even in a cyclone shelter, and even if they run on
generators, you may not be able to watch
TV.
Food and Water in Your Cyclone
Kit
Forget about your fridge - it won't work.
Eat what's in there before the cylone or throw it away - don't come
back home two days later and eat what you think is still good - you
risk food poisoning.
Ideally you have the time to empty your fridge; it's a good reason to
give it a good wash,turn it off and open the doors,
and you will come back home to a clean fridge (provided you have the
roof, sorry). And the same applies if you
stay at home.
Not relying on your fridge at all, obviously you will have to rely on tin food. Buy it - to last a few days
at least, depending on the strength of
the cyclone.
Also obviously have a can
opener in your cyclone kit, as well as plates, utensils
and a combination pocket knife.
If you normally use electric stove - get gas for your barbeque
and for your camping
stove, and have them handy.
Do also fill clean water
containers with drinking water - 10 litres per person is
the usual amount, but more never
hurts if it's a strong cyclone.
And have more water in bathtub or wheelie bin to flush your toilet -
you will most likely have no water at all coming from the tap if it's a
strong cyclone.
Medication, Toiletry and
Clothes
Unless
you go to a cyclone shelter, have
your first hand kit ready and know how to use everything
that is in there.
Have all your medication handy and if you leave home
obviously bring it with you.
Have your toiletry and
sanitary supplies handy.
If you leave home bring a change of clothes and strong shoes.
Also remember everything special that you need for your kids, elderly and pets.
Money and Documents
Take out cash - the
ATMs and EFTPOS facilities may not be working for some time after the
cyclone.
Have a few coins for phone calls and fully charged batteries in your
mobile phone, camera, lap top etc. Secure your important
documents including passport and birth certificate.
Have strong plastic bags in your cyclone kit to keep things dry.
Have the emergency phone numbers handy, including the one to your SES.
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This site uses British
English, which is the English we use in
Australia.
Disclaimer:
Although
best efforts have been made to ensure that all the information on this
website is correct, this site is not to be blamed should there be a
mistake.
This is the ORIGINAL Cape York Travel Guide run Locally on the Peninsula.