It's important to be ready should a disaster occur.
This means:
- Knowing the risks
- Preparing your property before the cyclone season
- Having an emergency plan for yourself, your family and your pets
- Having an emergency kit with at least 3 days of supplies
- Knowing your evacuation routes
We encourage residents and visitors to follow the Plan. Pack. Listen approach.
Plan: Make an emergency plan
Pack: Pack an emergency kit
Listen: Stay informed...
Create your household emergency plan
Solid preparation is the best way to weather any natural disaster. While cyclones receive the most publicity, Cairns can also experience fire, tsunami, flooding and landslip.
It is important to know what you will do in each scenario:
- Know your risk
- Decide in advance if you will evacuate or shelter in place
- Know your evacuation route
- Have an emergency kit
- Take steps to limit damage to your property
Download an emergency kit checklist
If an emergency occurs, you need to be self-sufficient for at least three days. A household emergency kit is therefore a must. Any sturdy, easy to transport box or bag is suitable.
You need:
- Battery-operated radio (with spare batteries)
- Torch (with spare batteries)
- Candles, lighter and waterproof matches
- First aid kit and manual
- Combination pocket knife
- Portable (gas) stove with fuel
- Cooking gear
- Water in sealed containers (10 litres per person)
- Medication
- Toiletry and sanitary supplies
- Change of clothes and strong shoes
- Non-perishable food (eg dried or cans) – enough for 3-4 days (can opener and utensils)
- Special needs for infants, the aged and people with disabilities
- Pet food, water and other animals needs
- Tent or tarpaulin, and blankets/bed linen
- Other camping equipment
- Cash
- Personal documents (insurance certificate, photographs etc)
- Strong plastic bags (for clothing and valuables)
- Emergency phone numbers
Disaster Coordination Centre (when the Centre is activated)
Telephone 4044 3377
Disaster Management Unit
PO Box 359
Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
Ph (07) 4044 3044
Fx (07) 4044 3830
- More information on what the DMU does
