Cyclones
Several cyclones will form in the north each year however they may not all make landfall (cross the coast) or impact the Cairns area. Active cyclones in the broader region may however bring periods of strong winds, heavy rain and flash flooding to Cairns.
If a cyclone is developing, the Cairns Disaster Group will keep residents informed via this website, the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, and the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook page.
You can also register to receive text messages from our Cairns Alert emergency messaging system.
Information will also come from local media. Please note the ABC is the official broadcaster of emergency information.
Recovery resources for Cairns community affected by ex-TC Jasper
If you or your business was affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, we have information on recovery resources and support services.
Household Emergency Kit
Can you survive five days without electricity and tap water? Your Household Emergency Kit will be your lifeline if a disaster impacts services and supply lines.
Household Emergency Plan
Sound preparation is key to weathering any natural disaster. Use our template to create your own Household Emergency Plan.
Stay informed
There are many ways to get official information from the Cairns Disaster Group before, during and after an emergency.
The Bureau of Meteorology provides regular updates once a low-pressure system (the forerunner of a cyclone) forms. The Cairns Local Disaster Management Group will provide advice based on the new Australian Warning System.
The three levels are:
- Advice (Yellow): An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
- Watch and Act (Orange): There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.
- Emergency Warning (Red): An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.
Cyclone categories
Cyclone | Strongest gust | Typical impact |
---|---|---|
Category 1 | Less than 125kmh |
|
Category 2 | 125kmh to 170kmh |
|
Category 3 | 170kmh to 225kmh |
|
Category 4 | 225kmh to 280kmh |
|
Category 5 | More than 280kmh | Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction |
As a cyclone approaches you should take these precautions to protect yourself and your family, your home and broader community.
Outdoors
Secure or remove anything that could become a missile if picked up in strong winds or swept up in storm water, such as outdoor furniture, children's play equipment, tools, kerbside rubbish bins and barbecues.
Tie down sheds or other small structures not permanently fixed and secure caravans, boats and vehicles in your garage or tie them down to strong structures.
Indoors
- Turn off non-essential power and/or gas
- Sandbag areas at risk from flooding, where possible
- Cover windows and doors with timber sheeting or tape across the glass with masking tape. Close all doors.
- Store water – this could be in spare containers or the bath. Water for washing or flushing toilets can be stored in wheelie bins.
- Make sure you have enough large plastic bags to wrap items such as appliances in case of flooding.
- Lift items that need to be high off the ground, such as appliances and computers (this could be on a bed or bench or a higher floor in your home).
- Put important documents and items such as photo albums in plastic bags or high cupboards.
Sandbags
Council will generally make sandbags available ahead of severe weather. We provide sand, scoops and bags at our transfer stations. Hardware and garden / landscaping companies may also have sandbags available for purchase.
In Cairns, evacuation advice is only issued for storm surge, not the strong winds and rain associated with a cyclone.
Residents who don't live in storm surge areas may not be admitted to public storm tide cyclone shelters.
Shelter in place
If you live in a home built after the mid-1980s, when building codes changed to make buildings more cyclone resilient, your best and most comfortable option is to shelter in place.
Choose the strongest area of your home, with few or small windows. The bathroom or internal hallways are good options. Use mattresses and blankets to protect yourself.
Your Household Emergency Kit will be your lifeline during and after the cyclone, with the food, water and other items you will need. Make sure to have it with you.
Self-evacuate to family or friends
If you live in an older property, or are not comfortable sheltering at home, have an arrangement to stay with family or friends.
The eye
The centre, or 'eye' of the cyclone, is a period when conditions may ease. If the wind drops, the cyclone is not over. Violent winds will soon resume from another direction. Wait for the official 'all clear' and stay safe inside.
Wait for the all clear
Stay indoors until authorities give the all clear to leave your home. Do not turn on electricity, gas or water until suppliers have advised it is safe to do so.
When you can leave your home, be careful of debris and fallen power lines, and avoid flood water which could be contaminated with chemicals or sewerage.
It's important to continue to shelter in place until you receive official information it is safe to go outside. Do not turn on electricity, gas or water until suppliers have advised it is safe to do so.
Evacuation facilities
Evacuation facilities will be opened for people who are unable to stay in their home or have nowhere else to go. These facilities are designed to accommodate as many people as possible and provide basic services. The best option is to stay with family and friends outside the affected areas.
Returning home
Emergency services will conduct Rapid Damage Assessments of properties and advise residents when it is safe to return to their homes. Do not return to your home until you have been advised it is safe.
Recovery hubs
Recovery hubs will also be opened. These hubs will bring together government agencies, insurance companies and other support services such as the Red Cross, so residents can access assistance.
The Cairns Disaster Group will announce locations of these facilities. For information go to the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook Page or the news section of this website.
Residents who are frail, aged and/or have a disability should refer to their Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit.
People are the best experts at knowing what they need. P-CEP can help people who are ageing at home, have a mental illness, a chronic health concern, and other support needs.
P-CEP was co-designed by people with disability, carers, community organisations, emergency services, and researchers. But as a tool, it can be used by anyone or any household.
Council is committed to working with all people to increase personal awareness, resources, and ability to prepare for and weather any crisis in their life, including natural disasters.
We need to support everyone in our communities to build their self-reliance.
We've translated our Preparing for Cyclones guide into languages commonly spoken in our region. Centacare has also created a series of videos explaining what cyclones are and how to be prepared.
If your language is not provided, or you need assistance during a weather emergency, you can also use the Translating and Interpreting Service.
Auslan
We have two films in Auslan to assist people with hearing impairment to be best prepared for cyclones and storm surge flooding.
Individual copies of the films are available from Deaf Services Cairns or by contacting Council's Disaster Management Unit by phone on 1300 69 22 47 or email cairnsdisastermanagement@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Preparing for cyclones
Guide to public storm tide cyclone shelters
Audio books / Daisy talking books
We have produced MP3 audio book versions of our Preparing for Cyclones information guide. You can listen to the various tracks below:
People with low vision
We have adjusted our Preparing for Cyclones brochure to be more accessible for people with low vision.
People with communication difficulties
Council and ARC Disability Services have developed an easy-to-read guide to cyclones for people who have complex communication needs. You can view the Get Ready for Cyclones guide as an e-book below or download the PDF version.
Last Updated: 19 February 2024
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