How to be Prepared

Be prepared for the Storm and Cyclone Season

Living in the tropics carries with it the responsibility of always being prepared for tropical storms and cyclones.

Get Ready Queensland promote the importance of preparation and encourage residents to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies. The following fact sheets will assist you in preparing for a disaster or emergency event.

To view the below fact sheets in languages other than English, click here to visit the Get Ready Queensland website. 

Preparing your home

An essential part of being prepared includes the following:

• Clean up the yard. Clear away all loose material, as it could blow about and possible cause injury or damage. 
• Trim trees and over hanging branches
• Keep your roof in good condition and check it regularly 
• Identify how and where to turn off the mains supply for water, power and gas. 
• Remove debris from gutters
• Check and fix loose fittings, such as railings
• Check windows and install shutters if possible
• Tie down sheds or other small structures not permanently fixed. Secure caravans, boats and vehicles or tie them together or to strong structures. 
• Know your Evacuation Zone and evacuation routes
• Check neighbours, especially if elderly or recent arrivals. 

Visit the Waste Facilities page for opening hours and other details. 

Click here to download Council's Emergency Kit Checklist

Are you isolated during flood events?

If you know that your property is isolated during a flood event, you should have enough food, water, fuel and medications stored prior to an event that will last three to four days at minimum.

You have a fundamental responsibility to help your self and your family and you can fulfill this obligation by being well prepared.

When it comes to extreme weather events in Queensland, it’s not so much a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. The more prepared we all are, the faster we’ll bounce back afterwards.

Resupply is the supply of essential goods to individuals who are isolated from retail facilities due to normal transport routes being inoperable as a result of a natural event or events.

Isolated rural properties may include primary producers and smaller towns or outstations that cannot access retail facilities in order to maintain sufficient levels of essential goods.

In order for the process of re-supply to meet your needs, you must determine your essential food requirements for the week/fortnight, seven (7) days in advance.

The State government has introduced a policy to resupply those isolated during times of natural disaster.

For more information on how to be prepared if you are isolated during flood events click here. 

Other Helpful Resources 

• Get Ready Queensland
• Household preparedness for people with a disability, their families and carers
• Emergency Services and Safety
• Your medical alarm and the nbn network
• Queensland State Emergency Services (SES) 
• Queensland Government Emergency Services and Safety
• Queensland Government Disaster Management

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system.

It is one of many ways emergency services such as police, fire and emergency services, can warn a community of a likely or actual emergency.

Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.

The warning system sends voice messages to landline telephones and text messages to mobile telephones within a specific area defined by the emergency service organisation issuing the warning message, about likely or actual emergencies such as fire, flood, or extreme weather events.

You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.

During an Emergency Alert make sure you:

• Tune into your portable radio constantly
• Batten down the house
• Secure doors
• Board or tape windows
• Secure outdoor furniture
• Secure loose articles inside
• Disconnect electrical appliances
• Lock up pets
• Fill water containers
• Fuel car and place under cover
• Remain indoors with your emergency kit; and
• Unless advised otherwise, remember that the safest shelter is in your home.

 Be aware of shelter and evacuation options for residents in the Hinchinbrook Shire.

Emergency Pantry List

The Hinchinbrook Shire Council ‘Emergency Pantry List’ provides residents with important information and advice on how to ensure your household has an adequate supply of food, water and essential items to cope with a prolonged emergency situation.

Preparing for emergencies ensures that you and your family can manage if affected by a cyclone or flood – it’s the smart thing to do!

Download your copy of the Emergency Pantry List here.

Disaster Ready Game

Click on the button below to play the Disaster Ready Game.

Play Now