CyclonePreparationChecklist

Tweet

Cyclone Preparation Checklist

Summary

Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone.

In preparation for a major storm you should first plan emergency preparedness to keep you and your family safe, following by boat preparedness.

Some people pack everything including the barbecue. That'sSecond up to you. Here we describe the basics for survival.

Emergency Preparedness

Anyone possibly in the path of a major storm of any kind should be prepared to sustain themselves for approximately 72 hours. In the initial hours and days emergency personnel will be dealing with larger crisis and you should be prepared to take responsibility for your own safety.

Kit Information

72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist, St. John Ambulance

Hurricane Preparedness - Be Ready, National Hurricane Center

Surviving Cyclones: Preparation and Safety Procedures, Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology

Are you Cyclone Ready?, Harle's Electrical

Hurricane Preparation Checklist, BoatSafe.com

Basic Emergency Kit

Prepare an emergency 72-hour kit and leave it by the door in case you need to “grab it and go”. Use a backpack to carry and distribute the weight.

An emergency kit should include:

• water
• canned goods
• can opener (2)
• First Aid kit
• batteries
• flashlight
• medication
• personal documentation
• battery-operated radio
• blankets
• toilet paper
• cash in small bills and coins
• spare house and car keys

You need at least 1 gallon (3.5 litres) of water per person per day for 3 days. AAmpere (amp), SI unit of electrical current normally active person needs to drink at least one half gallon of water each day (~2 litres). You will also need water to clean yourself and to cook. (This means a family of four needs 12 gallons of water in their emergency supply.) — Center for Disease Control

Water is heavy, a gallon weighs 8.4 pounds. One litre weighs one kilogram. Put the water in several containers or plastic bottles to distribute the weight and make it easier to carry; and also to reduce the risk of losing it all if a container leaks.

And take two can openers — it's a single point of failure if you have only one and lose it.

Basic Foodstuffs

Some basic survival foods available at the local supermarket or bulk food store are:

• Nuts (peanuts)
• Trail mix
• Peanut butter
• Canned fish (tuna, salmon)
• Chocolate (Bakers' semi-sweet squares)
• Wholewheat crackers
• Dried fruit (raisins)
• Cheese brick

Depending on the availability of water and cooking facilities you could also consider:

• Brown rice
• Dried beans (kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, lima beans, pinto beans)
• Tea, instant coffee
• Powdered milk

You can spoon the milk powder into a water bottle and shake it up.

Get to Higher Ground

When a hurricane or powerful storm is hitting, people in low-lying coastal areas should stay over with family or friends who live on higher grounds. It's also important to keep away from the water.

Boat Preparedness

After preparing your family for the storm emergency, you can prepare your boat. The below links provide good advice.

• How to Prepare Your Boat for a Storm, Cruising World
• Hurricane Preparedness for Boat Owners, University of Florida
• A Simple and Effective Boat Preparation Plan for Hurricanes, SouthWind Sailing
• Hurricane Preparation Plan Checklist, Hanover Insurance
• Hurricane Preparation Checklist for Boats, Safeco Insurance
• Model Hurricane Plans for Yacht Clubs and Marinas, Boat.U.SWetted surface.
• Hurricane Preparation Tips for Boaters, ACE Recreational Marine Insurance

References

Top