It’s beginning to look a lot like severe weather season.
The only thing the State Emergency Service (SES) want for Christmas, is for you and your family to be prepared for severe weather.
We are gifting you 12 Days of Preparedness.
- On the first day of Preparedness my true love gave to me, a conversation about hazards and risks in our area.
There are many different scenarios to consider in severe weather. What could happen to your home and family in a cyclone, storm, flood or tsunami? You should understand hazards in your area and what to do if an emergency occurs, including evacuation.
Some examples of hazards include riverine flooding or coastal flooding. Overhanging trees and branches can also be a hazard.
2. On the second day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, advice on preparing my family for severe weather.
Research hazards and disaster management arrangements for your community. Check with your local council if severe storms, cyclones, floods, storm surge or tsunamis are likely in your area. Research local emergency plans, evacuation zones, and suggested evacuation routes for where you live and work.
- On the third day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, an emergency plan to keep my family safe.
Prepare for possible disasters by making an emergency plan. Display your plan where your whole family can see it and save a digital copy on your phone or computer. You can create a digital plan or use this template Home Emergency and Evacuation Plan.
- On the fourth day of Preparedness my true love gave to me, a list of emergency numbers including SES on 132 500.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 000.
For non life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance during severe weather, call SES on 132 500 from anywhere in Queensland.
- On the fifth day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, an emergency kit with all the essential items.
An emergency kit has the supplies for your essential needs in emergencies such as storms, floods, and cyclones. Your kit should have the supplies you need for several days in case you lose services such as power and water.
Items to include in your emergency kit are non-perishable food and water for three days (10 litres per person), battery powered torch and radio, extra batteries, portable phone charger and cable, first aid kid, toiletries, important documents and pet supplies. For more information, check out what to pack in your emergency kit.
- On the sixth day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, clean gutters and downpipes around our home and property.
Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water can drain away quickly.
- On the seventh day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, trimmed trees and no overhanging branches.
Safely trim trees and branches that overhang your home. Be careful of any overhead network and powerlines.
- On the eighth day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, a clean yard with all loose items put away or secured.
Secure, weigh down or put away any loose items around the house, yard or balcony. Items such as potted plants, outdoor furniture, garbage bins, and trampolines can become dangerous missiles during cyclones or severe winds.
- On the ninth day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, a roof that is maintained
Keep your roof in good condition and check it regularly. Check and fix any corrosion, rotten timber, termite infestations and loose fittings on your home. This will help to prevent leaks in your roof.
Temporary repairs to roofs is one of the main call-outs for SES and is sometimes preventable.
- On the tenth day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, details of where to go for information and warnings.
During a severe weather event, safety should always be your priority. You need to take notice, seek information, make decisions, and act. Remember is to follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services. Weather warnings are published across many information channels including the below:
Tune In:
- Find your local ABC Radio Station
- Find your local commercial radio
Go Online
- On the eleventh day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, the strongest and safest room if sheltering at home.
Close windows, shutters and curtains. Stay inside, away from windows, external doors and skylights until the storm has passed. If the building starts to break apart, shelter in the strongest room under a mattress or strong table.
If storm surge or coastal flooding is a risk, you need to be prepared to follow the advice of local authorities and be ready to leave your home quickly. Evacuation may be necessary based on predicted wind speeds and water levels. The safest option is to decide early if you are going to leave.
- On the twelfth day of Preparedness, my true love gave to me, the ‘Orange Army’ ready to assist!
The best ally to severe weather is preparedness. However, if disaster strikes your home, SES are ready to assist on 132 500.
We provide support for non life-threatening emergency situations during floods, storms or other similar weather types.
From having an emergency plan and kit, to keeping your property in good condition, there are many things you can do to prepare for the severe weather ahead.
For more information, go to https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/prepare-for-severe-weather
