Preparing for extreme weather – tips from a cyclone survivor
And it’s more than just packing a torch and water…
IN February 2011, Anna Smith witnessed something she had never seen before. While taking shelter in her home, after heeding cyclone warnings, she saw her window panes were starting to bow and beginning to make strange noises in the wind and rain.
“I had experienced storms and cyclones before, but this one was just developing so quickly,” Ms Smith said.
“I went to the smallest room in the house and hid under a mattress for hours until the wind calmed down. It was terrifying.”
She said the next day, she was met with total destruction around Sugarloaf in the Whitsunday Region after Cyclone Yasi had passed.
“Our garage door was gone, all the trees were broken, the house across the road was completely flattened and 50 foot trees had fallen all over the roads blocking them,” Ms Smith said.
“Roads were flooded and we had no power for three weeks.
“I worked in community services, so I was needed for disaster support relief during this time, and I saw the devastation first-hand.”
Now living in Mudgeeraba, that time stays fresh in Ms Smith’s mind and has become a lesson to always be prepared.
Nobody expects to be hit by a disaster, but, she says, people can be ready.
Since then, Ms Smith always has a plan in place and essential items on hand for her emergency kit and makes sure it is easily accessible.
“My plan is to grab my important paperwork, a bag of essentials and ensure I have everything for my dog,” she said.
“I will then check on my neighbours and nearby family.
“We make ice and freeze as much food as we can.
“When I go to the shops, I gradually buy long life milk, tinned food, water and candles to add to my kit.
“We keep on top of clearing out gutters and, if a storm is on the radar, we make sure outdoor items are secured and that our phones are charged.
“Storms can end up being a lot worse than first thought, so it’s important to be prepared.”
To stay informed when there is a possible event, Ms Smith keeps updated with her local weather warnings
“I always check the City of Gold Coast and www.bom.gov.au to get the most accurate warnings,” she said.
“Being prepared can help safeguard your family, pets and property against severe storms, cyclones, floods and bushfires.”
To find out more about how to create an emergency plan and emergency kit, visit the website.
goldcoast.qld.gov.au/getready
Storms can end up being a lot worse than first thought, so it’s important to be prepared ANNA SMITH