A reminder to be prepared

STORM activity in the Far North over the past few days is a wake-up call for residents to be ready.

The region is in the midst of the cyclone season and residents should have made their preparations by now.

In just 30 minutes on Friday evening, a storm lashed the Cassowary Coast with such ferocity that some residents likened it to a cyclone.

Wind gusts up to 90km/h hit the area, leaving crops bare and flattened to the ground.

Taro, pawpaw and banana crops were hit.

Fallen trees and branches were widespread. There were also hailstones.

Power cuts were extensive with thousands of properties without electricity, some still blacked out nearly two days later.

The current heatwave associated with the storm activity is staying put until at least tomorrow.

A thunderstorm is possible again today.

What needs to be appreciated is that the storms over the last couple of days are nothing compared to what a cyclone can do.

Cyclones are far more damaging, can cause widespread and longer cuts to everything from power and phones to roads and water supply.

Preparations should be in place now. Don’t leave it to the last minute by panic buying.

Prepare an emergency kit with food, water and other necessities to last at least three days.

Fuel up household vehicles and ensure there is adequate cash in case there is no access to ATMs, EFTPOS and banks.

And keep informed via trusted media, especially the Cairns Post. Nick Dalton

Deputy editor