After you hear a cyclone warning, it is forever etched into your brain. The ‘whooping’ sound makes your blood run cold. I grew up in Darwin. Cyclones were as real as they were terrifying. Even back in the 80s, my parents were religiously prepared. If you live on the north coast of Australia – you should be too. My goal is to help you get there. Here is a 5-minute read on how to prepare for a cyclone, from the experts. You won’t get a wall of text. You WILL know what to do when the next cyclone threatens your home and family. Because there is no ‘winging it’ when it comes to surviving a cyclone.

How to prepare for a cyclone in Australia – expert summary

I want to leave you better prepared for a cyclone after reading this 5 minute article than when you began. So let’s summarise.

Tropical cyclones are called hurricanes in other parts of the world. The CSIRO says they form when thunderstorms occur over a warm ocean where there is little change in the wind with height.

Northern Australia is one of the most cyclone prone regions in the world. The coastlines of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia are all at risk of cyclones.

The expert advice to survive a cyclone our northern coastline is get prepared and get to safety. Here’s how:

1. Know these things 3 about tropical cyclones down under:

• the risk in your area and for your home (is it built to cyclone codes?)

• how cyclones are categorised and what they mean

• the BOMs cyclone warning system

2. Decide beforehand where you will shelter – at home or at a cyclone shelter.
3. Prepare a Cyclone Kit.
4. Prepare your home for cyclone season
5. Follow and act on on BOMs ‘Cyclone watch’ and ‘Cyclone warning’ advice – see how below.

Before we get into what to do at each stage of the cyclone warning system, and how to survive a cyclone, let’s look at what you can expect when a cyclone hits.

What happens during a cyclone?

If you’re in the path of a severe tropical cyclone, you can expect:

• Howling winds.
• Wind gusts.
• Heavy rain.
• Flash flooding
• Rapid rise in river levels
• Swelling seas and storm surge.
• Coastal flooding with high tide.

The human impacts

If you’ve never been through one, it’s natural to wonder what a cyclone is like. My personal memories are mostly of dark and noise. The power goes out. There may be no internet or phone lines.

As the wind picks up, things start flying through the air outside. Trees and power poles may fall around your home or in your street. Power lines start fizzing and sparking.

It’s as noisy as hell. Wind gusts can sound like a freight train hitting your house. The crashing and banging of things flying around is frightening. Trees creek and crack in the wind.

Debris may hit your house. Your windows shudder and may blow in. Your home creaks and shakes on its foundations.

In a really severe cyclone – category 4 or 5 – parts of your home may begin to break off. The roof may blow off. Walls may peal away.

Make no mistake. Cyclones can be terrifying.

9 cyclone facts you need to know to survive

1. The BOM tracks the path and intensity of cyclones and can predict when and where they might cross onto land. You can find cyclone tracking maps on their website.
2. The ‘wall of the eye’ is where a cyclones winds are strongest. BOMs cyclone maps will show the location of the eye.
3. The human impacts of cyclones are worst on the coast. New homes within 50km of our northern coastline needs to be built to withstand a cyclone. That’s the high risk area.
4. Cyclonic winds slow down once the cyclone cross the coast.
5. Homes within 200m of the shoreline can also suffer inundation in a cyclone storm surge.
6. ‘Cyclone watches‘ begin 1 to 2 days before the cyclone is predicted to hit. If you haven’t prepared beforehand, this is the time.
7. ‘Cyclone warnings’ start 24 hours before a cyclone is expected to pass. This is ‘go time’ for final preparations.
8. Queensland has 3 to 4 times the number of cyclones in La Nina years as in El Nino years.
9. Western Australia between Broome and Exmouth has the most cyclones in Australia.

How climate change is changing cyclones

Our changing climate is predicted to change the nature of the cyclones we experience, but reduce the total number. CSIRO and the BOM say that a hotter, more moist atmosphere and warmer ocean will mean fewer cyclones. But the ones we do get will be stronger, with more rain.

Why is this a problem?

Because old homes are not built for severe tropical cyclones.

Darwin is the exception. After Cyclone Tracy wiped out Darwin, building codes were changed. Our 2-story Darwin home had a besser-block bunker with no windows on the ground floor. This was our cyclone shelter.

How does all of this impact your preparations, you ask?

Whether your home can withstand cyclone winds will determine what you do to prepare. And where you shelter.

How long does a cyclone last?

The Queensland Government says that slow moving cyclones can hang around for up to 12 hours.

12 hours in a cyclone is going to feel more like 12 days.

The BOM says a cyclone typically spends ‘a day or so’ it its most intense state, before beginning to weaken.

The aftermath of a cyclone – when power, water and roads are cut off – can last much longer. It’s best to prepared with enough food, water and other supplies to last at least 72 hours.

What is the eye of a cyclone? (and why you need to know)

The eye of a cyclone describes its dead centre. From space, tropical cyclones look like big circular areas of widespread thunderstorms with a distinct round eye in the middle.

According BOM, the eye is a relatively calm place in a cyclone. It is usually around 40km wide but this can stretch to 100km.

The eye wall – just around the eye – is the place where the winds are strongest.

If the wind suddenly drops off in a cyclone, chances are you are in the eye. You might see clear, calm skies even. But the cyclone is not over. You are in dead centre of it. Don’t be tempted to go out and about. There is more to come.

How to prepare your home for a severe tropical cyclone

There are 3 stages of preparations at home.

1. Preparation for cyclone season and
2. Preparations for a ‘cyclone watch’
3. Final preparations for a ‘cyclone warning’.

Here is a cyclone prep checklist for each stage:

Cyclone season

Our home in Darwin had a cyclone shelter, so we always sheltered at home. Come November, we would ready our home.

The BOM puts out ‘cyclone outlooks‘ each year in October. Have a read of these before you get started. Here is what to do to get ready for your first and each cyclone season:

• Clear stuff from around your property. Loose objects turn into missiles in a cyclone. 
• Cut overhanging trees and branches around your house. 
• Measure your windows and buy enough plywood to board them up. Don’t forget the nails.
• Know if your home is in a storm surge or flooding zone. Memorise your route to the nearest safe high ground. 
• Sort out where your pets will go. You can’t always take them into cyclone shelters. 
• Have a chat to your neighbours about each other’s intentions and plans. 

Staying on top of your home maintenance in summer is a feat. The garden can grow a foot overnight. But you have to do it. You won’t have time once the cyclone warnings begin.

‘Cyclone watch’ (48 hours out)

48 hours out, BOM will issue a ‘cyclone watch’ warning. Here’s what to do to prepare:

• Re-check your property for any loose material and tie down (or fill with water) all large, relatively light items such as boats and rubbish bins. 
• Fill up your car. Fill any spare Jerry cans with fuel – it might run out later.
• Check your Cyclone kit and fill any water containers you may have (you should have at least 3 litres of water per person per day for at least 72 hours). 
• Ensure household members know what the strongest part of the house is and what to do in the event of a cyclone warning or an evacuation. 
• Listen to the TV and radio as the cyclone develops or passes. 

‘Cyclone warning’ (24 hours out)

24 hours out, if a cyclone is headed for Australian communities, BOM will issue a cyclone areas, along with affected areas. Take these steps:

• Head home and park your car under solid shelter (handbrake on and in gear). 
• Put outdoor furniture and other loose items in your pool or in the garage. 
• Close shutters. Board all windows with your plywood. 
• Draw curtains and shut doors. 
• Pull everything out of your power sockets. All of your appliances. Power surges can blow these up during a cyclone.
• Prepare enough mattress
• Put valuables inside cupboards in your home.

How to prepare yourself for a cyclone

To prepare well for a cyclone, you MUST have Cyclone kit. I feel that strongly about it. Here’s why:

• A cyclone rating can change quickly and unpredictably. From Category 1 to Category 5 within a day. Don’t assume you’ll have the time to buy what you need once warnings start.
• People panic in cyclones. Shelves at the shops will empty quickly. If you have a Cyclone Kit ready, this won’t affect you.
• You may not be safe sheltering at home in an old house. But cyclone shelters are for safety and not comfort. You must bring what you need. No more and no less. Your cyclone kit is designed for this.
• You may be directed to evacuate by police with little notice. It’s unlikely you’ll have or will grab what you need as your rushing to get out to safety.
• You won’t be roaming your house getting what you need from the cupboards if you’re sheltered at home. You’ll be bunkered down in the safest room you’ve got. Hopefully with your Cyclone Kit.

You can pack a tailor made kit using this time-saving Cyclone Kit checklist. Or you can use your Emergency Go Bag if you’re heading to a cyclone shelter.

What to do in a cyclone

It’s go time when BOM issues a cyclone warning. Grab your kids and go home. You’ll need to prepare to take shelter at home or to evacuate. You’ll also want to make arrangements for your pets.

You have less than 24 hours to be ready.

Shelter at home

If you’re staying home, here’s what to do:

• Grab your cyclone kit, important documents and mobile phone.
• Bring your pets inside. Put them in their crate or harness. Keep them with you.
• Pull out your battery or hand crank radio as well as a torch or headlamp.
• Get into a place at home that is clear of windows in strongest part of house. We used out besser-brick bunker downstairs in Darwin. You can also use a cellar, bathroom, internal toilet or passageway. 
• Listen to your portable radio for cyclone updates. 

Evacuate

If you cannot shelter at home, head to a public shelter. Shelters will begin to open when BOM issues a Cyclone warning. Here’s what to do:

• Even though you won’t be there, still prepare your home. You could save it from unnecessary damage.
• Make arrangements for your pets. As heart breaking as it is, cyclone shelters don’t allow them. Your best options are booking them into pet shelter, or take them with you (outside the danger zone). As a last resort confine them in the safest room inside your home.
• Grab your Cyclone Kit.
• Head to a public shelter or accommodation outside of the cyclone’s path.
• If you are driving when a cyclone hits, stop. Park somewhere clear of trees, power lines and water bodies. 

How to survive a cyclone

I spent the duration of Cyclone Max in Darwin on the floor of our besser-block bunker with my mum, dad, sister and 2 dogs. I remember we had food, a radio, water, and a torch. We may have even spent the night there.

We were safe but our windows upstairs were smashed.

If you are unlucky enough to be caught in a severe tropical cyclone at home and your shelter starts to break up, do everything you can to protect yourself.

The biggest physical risk is falling and flying debris. You may also risk being picked up by winds and blown away. Cover up and stay anchored in place:

• Get on the floor and cover yourself with a mattress, a rug, blankets or a tarp.
• Shelter under a strong and sturdy table if you have one
• Anchor yourself to a strong fixture (such as water pipes) or get under a strong table or bed. 
• Beware the calm ‘eye’. Don’t assume the cyclone is over – if a calm period is due to the ‘eye’, violent winds will soon resume from the opposite direction. 

What NOT to do in a cyclone

Don’t:

• Ignore the warnings. Remember, the key to surviving a cyclone is preparing well and getting to safety.
• Leave it too late to prepare. There’s a bit to do, even if you have your Cyclone Kit ready and home prepared for cyclone season.
• Tape up your windows. Glaziers say this will cause the glass to break into larger, more dangerous shards. You don’t want that flying around the house with you inside.
• Cyclones are not a spectator sport. Don’t hang about the windows to watch the show.
• Head out in the eye of the storm. The second act is yet to come and you need to stay put and stay safe.

Conclusion and next steps

Knowledge, preparation and safe shelter are the key to surviving a cyclone. Knowing how to prepare for a cyclone and what to do in a cyclone to survive, can significantly improve your odds:

1. Know your cyclone risk, the warning system and cyclone categories
2. Make a Cyclone Kit
3. Prepare your home
4. Stay connected to cyclone broadcasts
5. Act on BOM’s ‘Cyclone warning’ advice – get your kids, go home, make final preparations.

FAQs

Where is the safest place to be in a cyclone?

The safest place to be in a cyclone is away from windows, in the strongest part of your home. A downstairs brick room, your bathroom or toilet. Even an internal passage way.

Bathrooms and toilets have plumbing fixtures that you can anchor yourself too if the roof comes off your home. Or if your walls start to blow away. They also have small or no windows. So less flying glass.

If you have a bath tub, even better. Get in it and have a mattress to pull on top of yourself if SHTF.

What should you wear during a cyclone?

You should wear protective clothing, even inside your home. Put on leather boots and a long sleeved shirt and long pants. There will be a lot of debris around. Your main aim is to protect your skin and feet from scratches and cuts.