What will you do in case of a natural disaster emergency?
The best time to plan for an emergency is when everyone is calm and it's not an emergency situation.
Assess your situation and discuss with your partner, family or housemates (if applicable) what you should do in different types of emergency. If there are children in your household, it can be helpful to include them in the discussion, so they know what to do if / when an emergency situation occurs.
Please remember to consider the needs of any animals you may be responsible for. Consider reviewing your plan yearly to take into account new information and to refresh your memory.
The Daintree Coast region can become isolated for days or even weeks at a time during a cyclone and / or flood event. Do a wet season grocery stock-up and prepare an emergency kit before cyclone season begins.
Pack a storage container or dry bags/backpacks ready to grab or have handy during an emergency. Here are some suggestion contents for your emergency kit.
If you are on script medication please make sure you get supplies in to cover 4 weeks.
Battery-operated radio (with spare batteries)
Torch (with spare batteries)
First aid kit and manual
Multi-tool pocket knife
Portable gas camping stove with gas bottle or cannisters
Personal documents (insurance certificate, ID, photographs etc.)
Water in sealed containers for up to 3 days (10 litres per person)
Medications
Toiletry and sanitary supplies
Change(s) of clothes and sturdy shoes for each person.
Non-perishable food (e.g. dried or cans) – enough for 3-4 days (can opener and utensils)
Special needs for infants, the aged and people with disabilities (if applicable)
Pet food, water and other animals' needs
Camping equipment. Tent or tarpaulin, and blankets/bed linen
Cash (ATMs and EFTPOS may be down)
Some other tips and suggestions provided by community members after Cyclone Jasper:
Make sure to have bulk dry food for dogs/cats.
If you have chooks, make sure you have chook food in stock and dry straw as it can get very wet and muddy.
Extra fuel for generator/chainsaw use.
Fuel any vehicles up prior to the event.
Have the car packed with chainsaws, fuel, clothes and essentials in case you needed to evacuate.
Powdered milk and/or long life milk.
You can buy tinned pie from Woolies and frozen fish fingers make good easy comfort food.
Oats and brown sugar for porridge.
Strong plastic bags (for clothing and valuables)
Have any chainsaws prepared and ready to use - including charged batteries, sharpened chain and any replacements/spares.
Ensure your generator has been serviced in lead up to the wet season.
Camping fridge running off the car’s dual battery (useful for temperature sensitive medications).
Battery operated radio, as it was the only way we could stay in contact with the outside world, and know what was going on locally when internet was out.
Consider filling up large containers of water just in case water is needed after the event and if something happens to your water access.
If you have a swimming pool, you can put outdoor furniture in it.
Prepare your property
Ensure loose items around your property are secured. If possible, move vehicles, boats and caravans under cover. Consider securing boats and caravans by tying them down. If possible, check your roof is adequately secured and guttering is cleared of debris.
It can be worth doing a periodic check for trees and overhanging branches which may threaten your property.
Does your property drain adequately? If not, consider how this could be improved. Depending on your situation, consider using sandbags or digging trenches to direct water away if a heavy rain event is expected.
