Prepare for a cyclone - Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Tropical cyclones are dangerous and can be very destructive. Your safety is your responsibility. Find out how to prepare your family, home, pets and animals for tropical cyclone season.

Tropical Cyclone Seroja

When you’ve already been impacted by a cyclone, preparing for the upcoming season is a little different.

Download the factsheet (PDF)

When to prepare

Getting yourself and your family prepared is your responsibility.

There is always the chance of a cyclone hitting your community, even if there hasn’t been one in years.

Between May and October, get your home ready inside and out and make sure you understand the alerts and warnings.

Know the cyclone alerts and warnings

Get ready for a cyclone

You need to start preparing for a cyclone

Review your cyclone plan and check your household knows what to do.
Ensure your emergency kit is complete by adding all additional items.
Prepare your home inside and out.
Secure trailers, garden sheds, outdoor furniture, trampolines, rainwater tanks, LPG bottles, loose material, rubbish, boats and caravans.
Check in with family, friends and neighbours to make sure they’re preparing too.
Travellers, visitors and tourists should leave the warning area and return home.

Act now to stay safe

You need to prepare for the arrival of a cyclone

Get ready to shelter in place or evacuate to a safer place.
Put fuel in your vehicle and park it in a sheltered area.
Fasten all cyclone screens and board up or heavily tape exposed windows.
Close curtains and lock doors.
Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area.
If you live in a low lying area where there is risk of storm surge damage, you may be advised to relocate now.

Shelter now

Shelter indoors now. It is too late to leave

Stay in the strongest, safest part of the building.
Keep doors and windows closed and stay away from them.
Keep your emergency kit with you.
Stay indoors until the All Clear is given by DFES.

Be careful

The cyclone has passed. However, you need to take care when going outside or returning to your property

When on the road, drive slowly, obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth.
Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their instructions.
Be careful of fallen powerlines and trees, broken water and sewerage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material.
Do not walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
Protect your feet with closed shoes.
Stack loose material clear of water meters, valves and powerlines.
Keep electricity and all electrical and gas appliances turned off until checked by a qualified tradesperson.
Never use matches, cigarette lighters or naked flames when entering a building.
Take photos for insurance purposes and contact your insurance company.
Do not enter your property if it is seriously damaged. It may be unsafe. Call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 for assistance.
For life threatening emergencies call 000.

Prepare your cyclone plan

You will have a better chance of surviving if everyone in your household agrees on a plan before cyclone season.

Once you’ve answered the questions below, write your plan down and put it somewhere everyone can access it.

Check in with family, friends and neighbours to make sure they have a cyclone plan too.

Prepare an emergency kit

Your emergency kit needs to be packed and ready ahead of cyclone season. You may be without power and water for several days or weeks after a cyclone, and shops may not be open.