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 complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

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