What are the precautions of cyclones?

Answer 1

I have survived a cyclone which destroyed my city. I can only offer suggestions as to what precautions I took and those precautions I should've taken. I and my dogs and all my neighbours survived intact but my house ended up demolished and mostly in the ocean.

Stock up on canned foods and large containers of bottled water. Coconuts are also nutritious and useful in many ways, and the local coconut trees mighn't withstand the cyclone.

Have a camp stove somewhere secure: your fridge and freezer contents won't be safe after the first day if you're in the tropics, which you probably are if you're contemplating a cyclone, so you'll need to use the food quickly and then be able to use your packaged food. You do not want, believe me, under the circumstances, to cope with stomach upsets from using food from your fridge that's past it's best, do you now?

Fill the bath with water; you could need it. If a serious cyclone hits, you'll have no fresh water or power and no sanitation. Sorry to be indelicate here, but buckets and lots of very highly waterproofed packages of toilet rolls are an excellent idea, stored in a safe place. If you've an under-bath cupboard, that's ideal; otherwise just use your imagination.

Tape your windows with masking tape - your local authority or your hardware store can advise on this. The last thing you want is to navigate over broken glass.

Make a little waterproof package of things which are important to you, such as photographs and other personal items. A first aid kit is a good idea. Have spare torches and radios. Use shoulder straps or, especially, backpacks; don't assume suitcases and handbags will stay in your hand if you're heading for shelter later than you should've. They possibly won't.

Keep a stock of torches, portable radios and batteries in your home and backpack so you can keep light available and follow news updates.

Don't rely on candles or other flame or fuel driven sources of heat and light. If you can afford a generator, keep one on hand in a very safe place, securely packaged and tied down if possible, for use once the cyclone has passed.

If the cyclone hits, expect to lose power and possibly part or all of your home. Head for your designated shelter well before this happens; the siren warnings (presuming you're in an organized area) will tell you when to go: don't wait.

In advance, survey your home or nearby shelters as soon as you know the cyclone's on its way, to see where you can be safe. Bathrooms are good because of the pipes which line and so reinforce the walls, but there will hopefully be designated shelters, frequently public buildings. Hotels are not necessarily a good option unless you are in the basement. High-rise is out of the question. Flying bits of other buildings hit high-rise towers. Always keep low.

Confine your pets early on, or they will panic; if you need to evacuate and you have pets, go early and take the animals with you; you will need to take large blankets and leashes to confine them in case they do panic. If you have any concern your dogs might become aggressive, leave them shut in the bathroom or somewhere else very safe.

Your local authorities should keep you informed about warning sirens and the status of the cyclone. Be sure you know the warnings sirens if they're used in your area; otherwise trust the locals, who should have a good idea of the signs of approaching cyclones.

Don't panic!

Finally, be aware that when the wild winds and rain settle, this is not the time to go outside and check on things. You'll be in the eye of the cyclone and it will be gathering itself up for another bite. Never leave shelter until the cyclone's done it's circuit and definitely headed off on its way.

Don't attempt to drive your car even if you think you can make it to an underground carpark. Don't stay on the street in the open unless there's no other choice, and then get to shelter immediately.

Because cyclones occur in, haha, cyclone season, it's easy to become complacent about cyclone warnings when the last few resulted in nothing but a bit of wind and rain. Don't be complacent. A fizzer can be followed a week or so later with a city-crusher; I know, I was there.

No need to be paranoid: just be prepared. I probably haven't covered all the main guidelines, but the various metbureaux will have better information than I have to offer.

Finally, I must say that many people can be complacent or even embarrassed at taking precautions at the threat of a cyclone. I was certainly a bit concerned people might think me an idiot. Now I know it's better to be a live idiot than a dead fool.