Severe weather preparedness in the hinterland
On Sunday afternoon, a storm hit. Monday was unbearably hot and windy, reaching 39 degrees, with vegetation fires breaking out in bushland areas. Tuesday was 18 degrees and poured all day.
It feels like we are living in a climate simulation. Storm, heatwave, fire, heavy rain, and 20-degree temperature fluctuations all in the space of three days.
The Gold Coast went through two major disaster events within 15 months, both causing several day power outages and huge disruptions to our lives. The weather of the past few days feels like an ominous warning for this year’s season.
Action is the antidote to anxiety, so the best thing we can do is prepare ourselves and our households for when the next one strikes. Here’s a recommended list of things to do to prepare:
If you are on tank water or septic/biocycle, a generator is highly recommended.
Make sure your generator is serviced, works, and has enough fuel.
A few spare extension cords are your generator’s best friend.
If you have the means, get an electrician to install a generator backup circuit for the generator to plug straight into your household mains power. Ours cost about $800.
Solar batteries may also be a solution to consider.
Create and check your emergency kit: food and water for 3+ days, battery radio, torch, first aid kit, tools, copies of important documents, spare keys, essential medications, toiletries, clothes, and blankets.
If you have a chainsaw that you plan on using, make sure you are properly trained and know what you’re doing.
Phone reception may disappear, so a decent battery radio is crucial for news and updates.
Familiarise yourself with all potential routes out of your street, in case one way is flooded or covered in debris.
Sign up to Gold Coast Alerts at dashboard.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Attend disaster-related community events to educate yourself. Rural Fire Brigades are a great place to start.
The Disaster and Emergency Management team from Council often have stalls at community events. Have a chat with them and grab some resources.
Introduce yourself to your neighbours and take note of who might be more vulnerable, such as the elderly and those living alone.
If you have capacity, consider volunteering to help your community either get prepared or in the immediate response. It has been shown to boost mental health and resilience.
 | A guest post by
|