How to be Prepared

Be prepared for the Disaster Season

Living in the tropics carries with it the responsibility of always being prepared for disasters such as floods, tropical storms and cyclones.

Get Ready Queensland promote the importance of preparation and encourage residents to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies. Click here to visit the Get Ready Queensland website for more detailed information. 

Have a plan

The first step in being prepared is to have a household emergency and evacuation plan so that everyone in your household knows exactly what to do if the worst happens.

To print a copy or to complete your plan online, click here to visit 'Step 1: Have a plan' on the Get Ready Queensland website.

Prepare your property

Preparing in advance saves time and reduces the number of things you have to do when a disaster is about to strike. Use the following checklists to help you make sure that everything is ready.

Home

An essential part of preparing your home 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; 
• Ensure your home and contents insurance is current and covers your assets adequately;
• Know your storm tide evacuation zone and evacuation routes; and
• Check on neighbours, especially if elderly or recent arrivals. 

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

Cars

• 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; and
• Ensure your car is fully fuelled.

Pets

It's important to consider what will happen to our pets in the event of a natural disaster. In emergency situations, pets are often the most vulnerable member of the family. Make sure you plan for the following to keep your pets safe:

• Secure animals before an emergency event, or use a secure pet carrier/cage/leash if you are transporting them;
• Ensure all vaccinations are current;
• Make sure your pet can be identified - tag and microchip pets where possible;
• If evacuating with your pet, make sure you have their medications, food, water, bedding, leash, toys and consider their sanitation needs (Note: domestic pets and other animals are not permitted in Public Cyclone Shelters or Places of Refuge, with the exception of registered assistance animals); and
• 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. Click here to visit the Maritime Safety Queensland website.

• Get a copy of the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan for your area and read it;
• Explore your suggested shelter area or inlet before severe weather season starts;
• Update your contact details with the authorities;
• Ensure your boat insurance is current and covers your asset adequately;
• Organise options to move your boat if you will be away during severe weather season;
• Keep a record of emergency telephone numbers handy (e.g. 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 and 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; and
• Check that all bilge pumps work and that all self draining holes are clear.

Pack supplies

The next step to Get Ready is to pack your emergency and evacuation kits. The Hinchinbrook Shire Council ‘Emergency Kit’ and 'Emergency Pantry List' provide 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. They are available to download by clicking on the links below each image.

It is important to note some changes to the essential items required due to the 'new normal' as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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! 

Click here to download Council's Emergency Kit Checklist

Click here to Download Council's Emergency Pantry List

Fact Sheets

The following fact sheets will assist you in preparing for a disaster or emergency event.

To view the information in languages other than English, click here to visit the Queensland Government Disasters and Emergencies website.

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. 

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.

Other Helpful Resources 

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

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