Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
With an average of five tropical cyclones each season from November to April, the coastline between Exmouth and Broome is also one of the most cyclone-prone in Australia.
Not all cyclones are created equal. While some are relatively weak and cause only minor damage, others can be truly destructive.
Even if a cyclone is downgraded before crossing land, it doesn’t mean the threat isn’t real. It can still bring destructive winds, torrential rainfall, flooding and dangerous storm surge .
Most tropical cyclones will also bring heavy swells to the coast and dangerous wind and flooding to inland communities.
Your safety is your responsibility. Get prepared and stay informed during cyclone season.
If everyone in your household agrees on a plan before cyclone season, you'll be much better prepared to face whatever nature throws your way.
Deciding what to do during a cyclone is only half the battle. Once the cyclone has passed, you'll also need to have a plan for what to do next.
Start by writing down the answers to these questions:
For more information and in-depth planning, refer to the Cyclone Smart brochure.
The warning system shows when and what actions you should take. When a cyclone is forecast, stay informed and monitor the alerts and warnings on Emergency WA or listen to your local ABC radio station.
GET READY
Review your cyclone plan. Make sure your emergency and relocation kits are ready. Secure loose objects around your property.
ACT NOW
Get ready to shelter in place or evacuate to a safer place. Make sure your vehicle fuel tank is full.
SHELTER NOW
It is too late to leave. Shelter in the strongest, safest part of the building. Stay away from doors and windows.
BE CAREFUL
The cyclone has passed but many hazards may still remain. Follow the advice of emergency services.
Tip: Remember, even if a cyclone is downgraded, torrential rain, strong winds and storm surge can still cause flooding.
An emergency kit provides essential items for your family’s short-term survival and should be stored it in an easy-to-grab place.
Remember when packing your kit that you may be without power and water for several days or weeks after a cyclone, and shops may not be open.
For more information and in-depth planning, refer to the emergency kit checklist.
Call 13 DFES: 133 337
Listen to ABC local radio
Main Roads WA or call 138 138
When preparing your family and property for natural disasters, you also need to consider your pets and livestock.
Ensure that your pets are properly identified with a name tag or microchip or that you have a recent photo of them with you, and that stock registers for your livestock are current.
Find out more about pet and livestock welfare in an emergency by visiting the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.
You can also ask your local government if there are pet or livestock welfare arrangements in place during an emergency.
Prepare your home and property well before tropical cyclone season commences. For more information, refer to the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide.
Don’t let your trip north, go south.
Summertime in the south means tropical cyclone season in the north.
From November to April, Tropical cyclones hit the Pilbara and Kimberley regions, and the Midwest Gascoyne often floods as the weather moves south.
This means that if you are travelling the pristine coastline of northern WA during summer, you will need to prepare before you go and know how to stay informed in the event of a cyclone when you get there. Your safety is your responsibility.
You should pack your emergency kit before leaving and take it with you on your trip.
An emergency kit provides essential items for short-term survival during an emergency.
At a minimum, your emergency kit should include the following:
You should also have any special medical supplies or equipment easily accessible in case a cyclone is forecast. For more information and in-depth planning, refer to the Cyclone Smart brochure.
When a cyclone is forecast, the best option is to leave the area.
If you cannot leave, you must keep up to date and follow the advice in the cyclone warning on at Emergency WA.
The warning system is designed to help you understand the risks and take appropriate action to ensure your safety.
If you need to evacuate and head to a safer location, leave before a Red Alert is issued. When a Red Alert has been issued, you must stay inside.
GET READY
Review your cyclone plan. Make sure your emergency and relocation kits are ready. Secure loose objects around your property.
ACT NOW
Get ready to shelter in place or evacuate to a safer place. Make sure your vehicle fuel tank is full.
SHELTER NOW
It is too late to leave. Shelter in the strongest, safest part of the building. Stay away from doors and windows.
BE CAREFUL
The cyclone has passed but many hazards may still remain. Follow the advice of emergency services.
Tip: Keep informed by visiting Emergency WA or listening to your local ABC radio station. Remember, even if a cyclone is downgraded, torrential rain, strong winds and storm surge can still cause flooding.
Things to note: Airports may be closed when a cyclone threatens, so it’s essential to contact your airline early.
If you are travelling in an area likely to be impacted by a tropical cyclone, it is essential to relocate early to a safe place.
Talk to your accommodation provider about whether the accommodation can withstand a cyclone or if you will need to evacuate to a safer location. If you do need to evacuate, they will also be able to provide you with information about the best route to take.
If a cyclone impacts the area, make sure you have five days of supplies, including medications, food and water.
Caravans, motorhomes and campervans do not provide safe shelter from the high winds and heavy rains that a tropical cyclone brings. You may not be able to tie down or anchor your caravan at a local caravan park. Additionally, roads and tracks can quickly become blocked by debris, making it difficult to leave the area.
Camping in an area that a tropical cyclone will impact is also unsafe. If you are planning on camping remotely or in a caravan park during cyclone season, it is your responsibility to stay informed about the cyclone and any forecast for flooding, storm surge or destructive winds so you can relocate early and stay safe.
Remember, service stations are limited in the North West. In the event of a cyclone, queues will be long and fuel supplies may be interrupted. Keep your tank as full as possible during your trip and carry spare fuel.
Flooding causes the most deaths during cyclones!
When travelling by caravan, motorhome, or campervan do not try to cross flooded roads, as this can be very dangerous.
Even If a cyclone is downgraded before it hits land, torrential rain, strong winds, and storm surge can still cause flooding.
Don’t get caught out in floodwaters.
Call 13 DFES: 133 337
Listen to ABC local radio
Main Roads WA or call 138 138
Cyclones pose a serious threat to boating due to destructive winds, torrential rainfall and flooding. Cyclones can also lead to storm surge, Storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level over and above the normal tide levels. It can cause flooding. heavy swells and storm tides.Storm tide is the water level that results from the combination of the storm surge and the normal tide. It can flood low-lying areas sometimes for kilometres in land. All of these factors can combine to create a dangerous situation for boats and boat owners. To reduce the risk of damage, injury, or even death, it is essential to take precautions before a cyclone hits.
If you own or operate any boat, you must be prepared for a cyclone.
Your safety is your responsibility:
