What to do after a cyclone: Essential safety tips and cleanup guidelines
Homeowners are often eager to inspect damage to their property and start cleaning up and making repairs as soon as a cyclone's winds ease.
However, it's crucial to wait until all hazards have been cleared, basic services are restored, and the area is declared safe before beginning any work.
Fallen trees, downed power lines, and even displaced wildlife, such as snakes, can pose significant threats in the immediate aftermath of a cyclone.
The Queensland Government recommends taking the following safety precautions before and during any post-storm cleanup:
Safety precautions after a cyclone
- If you need help: After any severe weather event, the immediate priority is the safety of yourself and your loved ones. If you require urgent assistance, please contact the SES on 132 500, or if you see an electrical risk call Energex on 13 19 62. If your situation is life-threatening always call 000.
- Remain indoors: Stay inside until authorities have advised that it is safe to go outside.
- Check utilities: Ensure all power and gas supplies are turned off if the building has sustained damage.
- Water safety: Boil or purify drinking water until it is declared safe to consume.
- Generator safety: Use generators only in well-ventilated areas if you lose power.
- Stay home: Avoid sightseeing and remain at home if it is safe to do so.
- Check on neighbours: If safe, check on your neighbours.
- Avoid floodwater: Stay out of any floodwater.
- Stay away from power lines: Avoid damaged or fallen power lines.
- Electrical appliances: Do not use any electrical appliances that have been wet unless they have been checked.
Post cyclone cleanup
Only start cleaning up if authorities advise that it is safe to go outside.
- Debris removal: Homeowners are responsible for removing green debris and trees that do not pose a danger to life or property. Following a major weather event, the SES can chainsaw trees that are endangering people or property.
- Sun protection: Wear sunscreen and a hat when working outdoors.
- Protective clothing: Wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and rubber boots.
- Treat wounds: Treat and cover any wounds.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated.
- Hand hygiene: Wash your hands regularly with soap and drinking water. Use alcohol hand rub if water is not clean.
- Wildlife awareness: Watch out for dangerous wildlife, such as spiders and snakes, which may have become displaced by the cyclone.
By following these safety tips and cleanup guidelines, you can help ensure your safety and well-being in the aftermath of a cyclone.
Always prioritise safety and wait for official guidance before starting any recovery work.
More articles
Related topics
-
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.