A long journey of recovery lies ahead for communities in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales in the wake of Cyclone Alfred, which is causing extensive damage, evacuations, power outages and intense anxiety even before making landfall.
The article below, first published at The Conversation, includes practical, useful tips and information for those dealing with the aftermath.
Yetta Gurtner writes:
Cyclone Alfred is due to cross the coast of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales late today or early Saturday morning. Millions of people may wake to a giant mess, if they get any sleep at all.
So how do you stay safe while you begin the clean-up and recovery? It can be helpful to have a plan of action ready, before the time comes.
First, be prepared to stay inside for a day or so, even after the wild weather has passed. You may have to manage without essential services for a while. And there are several important steps to take before venturing outside.
I have 20 years’ experience in disaster studies, including how communities can recover. Here’s what you need to know about surviving the morning after Cyclone Alfred.
Before leaving your safe room
Say you’ve chosen to “shelter in place”, in the safest room in the house. That’s the smallest room with the fewest windows – usually a bathroom, in a hall or a room under the stairs.
Do not leave this room until you have been told it’s safe to do so by authorities. Even after the storm has passed, the wind gusts can be very unpredictable. Depending on your location, floodwater may still be a threat.
If you still have access to the internet, check the digital disaster dashboard online. In Queensland, every council has their own disaster dashboard. New South Wales has the Hazards Near Me app.
Tune into your local ABC radio station for official emergency updates, warnings and advice. Make sure you have spare batteries and even a backup AM-FM radio.
Try to minimise use of your mobile phone to conserve battery power and network capacity. SMS/text messages are more likely to get through than phone calls.
While waiting for normal services to resume
After the cyclone there may be no power, internet, mobile telephone reception or water supply to your home. This may persist for some time.
Ahead of the cyclone, try to store enough drinking water to provide three litres per person for several days (don’t forget water for your pets). Store water in bottles in the freezer – it keeps it cool if the power goes out and can be drinking water when it melts.
You also need extra water for hygiene, cleaning up and toileting. Fill your bathtub or top-loading washing machine with water before the storm approaches.
During a flood, sewage may come up through the toilet and the drains of dwellings on the ground level. Before the cyclone, cover your drains with plastic sheeting with a sandbag on top for weight. Place a plastic bag full of sand inside the toilet to form a plug and close the seat. Consider a bucket as a short-term option for toileting.
Wait for flood waters to recede before unsealing the toilet. When the storm has passed, check local council advice on whether the sewage system is functioning before attempting to flush the toilet again.
If the power has been out, your fridge can remain cool; however, food inside may no longer be safe to eat. If items in your freezer have started to defrost, either cook immediately or dispose of them. Some medicines requiring refrigeration will also have to be thrown out.
Don’t use electric appliances if they are wet and check for any potential gas leaks from gas appliances before use.
Contact your insurance provider immediately
If you are likely to make an insurance claim, contact your insurer straight away for advice.
The insurance company will probably ask for your policy number. Try to have it (and other important documents) on hand – perhaps in a waterproof wallet, or as photos on your phone.
Don’t go straight into clean up and recovery mode until you have checked their requirements. Ripping up wet carpets and throwing out your belongings may not be consistent with your insurance policy. Disposing of proof of damage may cause your claim to be rejected.
Approaches vary between insurance companies. They may require photographs or a written inventory of damaged items. For instance, floodwater will often leave a high-water mark on the walls. Take a photo with a ruler or bottle for reference.
The more you can document, the less the insurance company can dispute.
Before you head outside
Don’t leave your house until officials say it is safe to do so.
If you have it, put on protective clothing and equipment including fully covered shoes, gloves, glasses, and an N95 mask. Wear a hat, long pants and long sleeves.
Keep your children and pets secure inside for as long as you can, until you know the area is safe and clear.
Switch off your electricity, gas and solar system prior to severe weather. Before switching everything back on, check your house and appliances for any obvious damage. Then check with your utility service provider that all is in order.
Even if your house is without power, downed power lines may be live. Do not touch them, even if only wanting to move them. Call 000 if it is life threatening, or contact your local energy provider.
Check for obvious structural damage to the house such as broken windows, water leaks or damaged roofs (such as missing tiles or screws). Beware of fallen or windswept debris and broken glass.
Look out for wildlife and pests, including venomous snakes and spiders. Don’t poke anything to check if it’s alive.
Before cleaning up
Wear protective gear when dealing with water-damaged goods and mud. Don’t touch your face at all and if you can, wear a protective N95 mask.
The mud and dirty water may be contaminated, so be sure to disinfect and wash your hands thoroughly.
If you have cuts and scrapes, disinfect and cover them immediately, because there’s a high chance of infection.
Following floods in Northern Queensland this year, 16 people died after being infected with melioidosis, a bacterium found in mud. The bug is more prevalent after heavy rainfall. If you feel unwell, seeking medical advice.
Mould is another big issue after heavy rain and flooding. Open your windows to ventilate.
Before venturing further afield
Resist the urge to go sightseeing. Check on your neighbours and vulnerable community members neighbours instead.
Talk to friends, family, neighbours and contacts about how you’re feeling. Be honest. It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious and upset after a disaster event.
If you need extra assistance, seek help. Community recovery hubs will be set up and they will have a list of telephone numbers for support. Use the services available.
Check your local disaster dashboard or app for up-to-date information on road closures, evacuation centres, and other emergency details.
• This article was first published at The Conversation with the headline, ‘The morning after: here’s what to do once Cyclone Alfred has passed’.
Author details
Yetta Gurtner is a human geographer and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Centre for Disaster Studies, James Cook University. With a multi-disciplinary background she has over 15 years of fieldwork and research experience working with communities particularly in the context of disaster risk reduction, management and sustainability. With a direct interest in the dynamic contexts of community vulnerability, capacity, adaptation, mitigation and resilience, she has significant experience in the development, application and teaching of social impact assessment methodologies applied both locally and internationally. Her PhD specifically addressed the challenges of community recovery and sustainable redevelopment post disaster in Bali and Southern Thailand. Yetta Gurtner has received funding in the past from the Bureau of Meteorology. She is a community engagement officer with the Queensland State Emergency Services.
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