Residents encouraged to prepare now for cyclone season

Every year between November and April, the coastal regions of Queensland are at risk of being hit by cyclones. Preparing your family and your home is your responsibility. Cyclones can produce winds in excess of 200km/h, which can cause excessive damage to property and turn debris into dangerous missiles.

Mayor and Chair of the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group, Andrew Willcox, said that now is the time for residents to begin their preparation, rather than leave it to the last minute.

“Being prepared early is essential and the first step to being prepared for cyclones is to look no further than your own backyard,” Mayor Willcox said.

“One of the greatest potential dangers during a cyclone event is flying debris, so I encourage everyone to look around their yards and properties and see what can be put away or removed,” he said.

Some of the measures people can take in preparation include:

- Trim any branches overhanging your house - Clear your property of loose material that could blow about, hold water and possibly cause injury or damage. This is also important to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes and will help prevent Dengue Fever - Check the condition of your roof and repair any loose tiles, eaves, loose iron and roof screws - Fit shutters or metal screens to all glass areas - Have a cyclone emergency kit on hand - Ensure that home and contents insurance covers you for storm surges, flooding and cyclone damage - Undertake an audit of your outdoor furniture and consider what would need to be moved should a cyclone warning be issued - Residents are reminded that they can dispose of waste up to 2 cubic metres at Kelsey Creek Landfill, Cannonvale Transfer Station, Bowen landfill or Collinsville Transfer Station free of charge.

Mayor Willcox also said that each home should be fully prepared with an emergency kit that will ensure all persons can be self-reliant for food, water, cooking, medications and other essentials for a period of three days or more.

This should include a portable radio, a torch, spare batteries, first aid kit, non-perishable food, sturdy gloves, water proof bags, candles, matches, essential medications, copies of important documents (insurance details, birth certificates, prescription refills etc), special food and medication for infants elderly or disabled family members and a portable gas cooker in the event of long term power outages.

To keep up to date with information relating to current disaster events, residents are encouraged to visit our new Disaster Dashboard http://disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/, your one-stop-shop for information.

Council also encourages residents to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ the Whitsunday Disaster and Emergency Information Facebook page.

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For media enquiries, contact: Lisa Maher, Senior Communications Officer 07 4945 0204, 0408 713 243 or Email: [email protected]