Cyclone Hamish predicted to hit the Whitsundays head on

Models are predicting that Cyclone Hamish will hit the Whitsundays around noon on Sunday 8 March.

The cyclone will be a category 3, but could strengthen to a Category 4 when it reaches Hayman Island.

The models then show the cyclone becoming a rain depression that will go over Miles, Goondiwindi, Moree and then break up around Dubbo.

Preparation

There are plenty of things you can do to make your place safer in a cyclone. Loose objects in the yard turn into flying missiles during a cyclone and are one of the biggest dangers, both to neighbours and yourself. It is important to cleanup those loose items at the start of cyclone season, which usually commences around late November and typically continues through to late April, although they can occasionally form during the winter months.

Cyclones are not to be taken lightly as Cyclone Larry (2006) demonstrated, where wind speeds were estimated to be 290km/h with up to 320km/h gusts during its' peak.

Some of the measures people can take in preparation include:

• Trimming trees and overhanging branches,
• Clear gutters and downpipes,
• Clear year of loose material,
• Secure loose roof riles, or corrugated iron sheets,
• Protect skylights with wire mesh and fit glass windows and doors with shutters, insect screens or security screens,
• Undertake an audit of your outdoor furniture and consider what would need to be moved should a cyclone warning be issued,
• Ensure your home insurance is up to date and includes building debris and disposal costs.

A cyclone kit is one of those things you hope you never have to use, but should it be required it can be a lifesaver.
Preparing a cyclone kit is about ensuring you have the necessary supplies to weather not only the cyclone but perhaps a couple of days afterwards without enduring too much hardship. You kit should include:

• Battery operated radio
• Food (non-perishable)
• Water (4 litres per person per day)
• Medication
• First aid kit
• Contact numbers
• Torch, candles and waterproof matches
• Blankets, money (cash)
• Tape for windows, can opener
• Small gas cooker (available at most camping stores)
• Allow for special needs of infants, the aged and people with disabilities
• Check that the gas bottle for the BBQ is full.
• Important documents (mortgages, marriage certificates, bank details, birth certificates)

Business owners and residents should also consider what would happen to their important documents in a cyclone. Preparation could include storing documents in waterproof containers or safes, and ensuring you have spare copies, which are stored elsewhere. If your documents are all on computer, ensure you have hard copies or disks stored safely.

One of the best ways of preparing for a cyclone event is creating a Disaster Management Plan for your family, including where to go and who to contact. You and your family could be anywhere when a disaster strikes. A plan provides a clear strategy and helps in providing peace of mind. Your plan should include:

• Nominating two places to meet family members (one close to home and one outside the neighbourhood),
• Compiling family and emergency contact phone lists,
• Nominate an interstate family member or friend as a contact – in case your immediate family members are separated during an event,
• Find out about the disaster management plans at work, school and other relevant venues.
• Decide on where to evacuate should your house no longer be safe during the cyclone (nearest neighbour). In a storm surge or flood, seek high ground sheltering with family or friends located in high places).
• Discuss how to care for pets (you may not be able to take them with you when you evacuate), make sure they are properly identified and include contact numbers for vet in your emergency kit.
• Design a “Contact Card” with emergency phone numbers (000, Whitsunday Counter Disaster Centre 4945 0290) and family contact numbers. Provide a copy to each family member.
• Does everyone know how to turn off the main supplies for power, gas and water?
• Does everyone the Standard Emergency Warning.

During a cyclone, shelter in a solid structure/room with no or limited glass. Be prepared to move quickly in the event that your place of shelter begins to break apart. Otherwise do not go outside and stay off the roads.

NOTES

CATEGORY 3 (severe tropical cyclone)
Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failures likely.
A Category 3 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 165 - 224 km/h.

CATEGORY 4 (severe tropical cyclone)
Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.
A Category 4 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 225 - 279 km/h.

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