When a severe weather warning is issued, what do you do?
Whether you've experienced wild weather before or not, you can never be too sure what to expect from a sudden storm, but you can always be prepared.
We've put together these quick safety tips that you can use in the face of severe weather, but we'd love to hear yours as well. Leave your best preparation tip in the comments section below.
Driving in wet weather
- Slow down and allow additional time for travel
- Keep extra space between vehicles as braking distance is increased during the wet
- Turn on headlights to improve visibility
- Don’t forget to turn off headlights when you reach your destination
- Be alert that pools of water on the road may cause vehicles to acquaplane
- Also be alert that pot holes may have formed during the rian
- Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or causeways – if it’s flooded forget it
How to Prepare for Flooding
- Remove as many household items as possible to a high point
- Pile furniture & personal items on beds
- Keep emergency radio, torch & mobile on hand
- Remove all drawers from built-ins
- Tie down loose items in your yard
- Park your vehicles in the garage if possible
- Move all chemicals that may react with water to a water-proof container & place at high level
- Disconnect all gas cylinders & gas bottles
- Close the main water valve
- Reconsider your travel plans
- Find the natural slope of your property & create paths for the water to drain away from your house
- If you can't move your car to higher ground (ie a nearby public garage) then use two flood covers to protect it from water damage. Place one car cover upside down on your driveway, carport or garage & drive the car in. Bring the sides of the cover up and secure them with rope & tape. Then place the second cover over the car.
- If you have a boat, remove furled sails, covers, bimini tops & any clears to reduce wind loading. Be sure to secure all hatches & loose articles below deck
- Have your insurer's contact details on hand in case you need to make a claim
How to Prepare for Cyclones
- Close all windows, shutters & doors.
- Stay tuned to evacuation orders & have alternate accommodation in place
- Tape windows without shutters in a criss-cross pattern
- Unplug all electronics
- Fill all sinks & baths with water reserves
- Secure your outdoor furniture & vehicles
- Bring all pets inside or shelter larger ones
- Tie down all outdoor furniture
- Contact family & friends to warn them
- Pack an emergency kit with a mobile phone, spare batteries & radio
- Create a small "keepsake" container for sentimental belongings (photo albums, jewelry, mementos) Make sure it's small enough to take with you if you need to evacuate.
- Buy a waterproof safe & fill it with important documents (Passport, health docs, tax docs, contracts, etc.)
