Disaster Guides

Cyclone Guide

Practical steps to prepare before a cyclone, stay safer during severe conditions and recover carefully once the danger has passed.

PrepMates preparedness resource

Printable Guide

Printable Cyclone Guide

Save it, print it or keep a copy with your emergency supplies.

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Before

Know your risk, secure your property and prepare for evacuation or sheltering.

During

Stay sheltered, monitor official warnings and avoid dangerous conditions.

After

Wait for the all-clear, check hazards and begin recovery carefully.

Be Ready

Cyclones bring more than strong winds.

Tropical cyclones can bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surge, flying debris and long disruptions to power, communications and essential services. Preparing early can give your household more time to act safely.

Follow official cyclone warnings.

Cyclone conditions can change quickly. Always follow current instructions from weather, police, emergency management and local authorities for your area.

01 — Before

Prepare before conditions deteriorate.

Know how cyclones may affect your area, prepare your property and decide in advance whether you may need to evacuate or shelter.

Know your local risk.

Understand whether your area may be exposed to destructive winds, flooding or storm surge, and know where to receive official cyclone warnings and local emergency information.

Make a household plan.

Know where you will shelter
Identify evacuation routes
Choose a safer destination if required
Plan for medications and mobility needs
Include pets and animals

Prepare your property.

Secure or bring in loose outdoor items
Check roof, gutters and drainage
Trim weak branches where appropriate
Protect windows and vulnerable openings where advised
Move valuables and electrical items higher if flooding is possible
Park vehicles somewhere safer where practical

Keep essential supplies ready.

Drinking water
Long-life food
First aid and medications
Emergency radio
Torches and lighting
Backup phone power
Important documents
Personal and pet supplies

Cyclone Preparedness

Prepare for evacuation and extended disruption.

Cyclones can require households to evacuate quickly or remain without normal services for an extended period. Prepare for both with portable emergency kits and larger home-based supplies.

Evacuation ready.

Backpack-based emergency kits designed to keep essential supplies together if you need to relocate or evacuate.

2-Person Grab & Go

Buddy Emergency Kit

A two-person emergency backpack designed to keep practical supplies together for cyclone evacuations, severe weather and unexpected disruptions.

View Buddy Kit →

Family Grab & Go

Crew Emergency Kit

A four-person emergency backpack with essential supplies ready for families preparing for cyclone evacuation, severe weather and other emergencies.

View Crew Kit →

Home & extended preparedness.

Larger emergency setups for households preparing for severe weather, power outages and interruptions to normal services.

Severe Weather Setup

Ultimate Storm Bucket

A four-person severe-weather setup with emergency lighting, radio, backup power, first aid, water storage and other practical supplies suited to cyclones, storms and outages.

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Large Household Setup

8-Person Mega Emergency Kit

A comprehensive emergency supply setup for larger households and groups, with lighting, power, first aid, water, shelter, tools and supporting supplies packed in a heavy-duty storage crate.

View Mega Kit →

Build Your Own Setup

Cyclone Essentials

Browse emergency radios, backup power, lighting, first aid, water storage, tarps, tools and other practical severe-weather supplies.

Shop Essentials

Shop All Emergency Kits

02 — During

Shelter safely and stay informed.

Once dangerous conditions arrive, remain in your planned safe location and continue monitoring official warnings.

Stay inside.

Stay indoors and away from windows, glass doors and areas exposed to flying debris. Use the safest location identified in your household plan.

Monitor official warnings.

Continue listening to weather and emergency information. Use a battery, solar or hand-crank radio if power, internet or mobile services are disrupted.

Do not assume the cyclone has passed.

A sudden period of calm may be the eye of the cyclone. Dangerous winds can return quickly from the opposite direction. Stay sheltered until authorities confirm it is safe.

Stay away from floodwater.

Heavy rain and storm surge can cause rapid flooding. Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater and avoid damaged roads or closed areas.

Evacuate when instructed.

If authorities instruct you to evacuate, follow their directions and use the recommended route. Take your emergency kit, medications, important documents and essential personal supplies where safe and practical.

03 — After

Wait for the all-clear and assess carefully.

Even after the wind eases, fallen powerlines, damaged buildings, trees, floodwater and debris can remain dangerous.

Wait until it is safe.

Stay sheltered until official advice confirms that dangerous cyclone conditions have passed. Follow road closures, evacuation-zone restrictions and local emergency instructions.

Watch for hazards.

Look out for fallen powerlines, unstable trees, damaged roofs, broken glass, structural damage, gas leaks, debris and floodwater.

Document damage.

Where safe, take photographs or video of affected areas and damaged belongings before major clean-up. Contact your insurer early and follow their claims requirements.

Check essential services.

Do not use damaged electrical equipment or utilities until they have been checked where necessary. Follow local advice regarding drinking water, power, gas and food safety.

Clean up carefully.

Wear suitable protective equipment and avoid unstable structures, sharp debris and contaminated floodwater. Keep children and pets away from damaged areas and use qualified professionals where required.

Quick Reference