GENERAL
THINK SAFETY FIRST AND DON'T TAKE CHANCES

Whitsunday Shire Counter Disaster Coordination Centre
co-ordinates all services during disasters

• The counter disaster centre is managed and staffed by
  Council and emergency response agencies during and
  following the impact of a natural disaster (i.e. Cyclone, Flood)
• The function of the centre is to coordinate relief and emergency operations as a result of the impact of a natural disaster
• Call the disaster centre on 4945 0290 for assistance
• Only in life threatening emergency situation should the 000
  number be used
• The use of the counter disaster line will ensure the 000 lines are available for the correct purpose

Communications
All residents should know where their Whitsundays Rotary Phone Guide is kept. During emergencies, heed radio warnings and advice. The following radio stations will be briefed regularly:

Normal radio/telephone communications may be disrupted during a disaster, so have a working transistor radio with a fresh supply of batteries in your home; make sure all family members know where it is. During an emergency, keep mobile phones switched off to save batteries.

Maintenance
Well before cyclone season clean gutters, check roof and complete repairs. Fell or remove problem trees, coconuts and Poinciana pods. SES will not respond to problems caused by poor maintenance.

Insurance
Have building & contents insurance in order before the wet season. Check with your Solicitor about legal liability for properties under contract. Legal owners should clean their buildings, construction sites etc of loose/flammable objects. Failure to do so may lead to civil action.

Return of Children from School
Parents are responsible for phoning schools to see if children are to be discharged early and for arranging safe transport home (for phone numbers see Children's Services). In the event of flooding, children returning home on school buses will be dropped as close as possible to regular stops. Ensure children have an emergency routine, such as phoning you at work, if arriving home early.

Vehicles
Ensure vehicles are mechanically sound and fuelled before any emergency. If you don't own a reliable vehicle, make arrangements NOW to share transport with someone else if necessary.

Pleasure Craft

	General: Charge batteries, close hatches, remove or firmly tie down gas bottles, scuba cylinders and other loose objects.
	Marinas: Secure vessel with extra ropes to the wharf as floating marina arms may disengage from pylons during tidal surges.
	Swing Moorings and Pleasure Craft at Sea: Check moorings before wet season. Move exposed vessels to a safer area (see David Colfelt's 100 Magic Miles) but allow time for your own safe return. Follow Water Police/VMR directions.

Supplies
Supermarkets carry only stock for normal demand; keep a store of emergency needs throughout the wet season. Regularly check expiry dates of items such as long-life milk.

Welfare Centres
Following the event, the community will be advised of the location of welfare centres on the local radio stations, especially ABC Tropical North 101.1 (Proserpine) and 89.9 (Airlie Beach). Whitsunday Shire Council does NOT provide safe refuges during cyclones. If unsure about the soundness of your dwelling, arrange to stay with a neighbour or friend. Otherwise, residents in emergency circumstances should evacuate only when advised by emergency services. Welfare Centres will open after a cyclone but only for those whose homes are uninhabitable. In the event of an evacuation for disasters other than cyclones and storm surges:

CYCLONES
Wind Destructive winds can be localised or widespread and may rapidly strengthen. Note the reported distance of destructive winds from the cyclone's central coordinates but be aware that a cyclone's path and speed can change without warning. Forecast models can be wrong. Damage will also vary according to local conditions exposure, and the soundness of individual structures.

Storm Surge and Flood Sea water and tidal creeks are subject to major increases in tide levels during and/or after a cyclone; normally shallow coastal waters can rise 5 metres or more above normal high tide levels. High wave action can also cause massive destruction and flooding on coastal lowlands. Water run-off from hills may cause creeks to flood and new waterways to form. Inundation maps are available from Council Office and Libraries. Check your residence’s exposure.

Courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology

CYCLONE WATCHES
The area may experience gales or stronger winds in 1-2 days.
IF TOLD TO TAKE SHELTER, DO SO IMMEDIATELY.

Step 1 (about 24 hours away)
1.	Prepare for an extended power failure
	• batteries for a transistor radio and torch(es) • freeze water in containers to prevent food spoiling • fill kerosene or gas lamps • candles and matches • check for portable cooking gear and fuel supply
2.	Pack long shelf life food, essential medicines and first aid kit to last the family 3 days. Include small pastimes for children.
3.	Pack warm clothes into large plastic bags, mattresses, blankets and pillows; check there are enough helmets for each family member. Be prepared to strap yourself and those in your care to a sturdy fixture if necessary.
4.	Place personal documents (e.g. birth/marriage certificates, insurance papers, passports, wills etc) and valuables in a waterproof bag in your suitcase.
5.	Store enough drinking water for 3 days (20 L per person).
6.	Clean house and yards of loose objects, pots, outdoor furniture, etc.
7.	Tie down caravans and boats; if living in one, leave it for more substantial shelter after securing it.
8.	Fill car with fuel and park in a safe, accessible place with handbrake engaged.
9.	Check on elderly or disabled neighbours.
10.	Plan a route to higher ground in the event of flooding.

Step 2 (about 16 hours away)
1.	Ensure children and pets stay indoors; never let children swim in flooded creeks, dams, water holes or open drains.
2.	Repair any new loose roofing or unsound parts of the house.
3.	Board windows if possible, tape if not; lock doors.
4.	Gather tools, ropes and tarpaulins for emergency repairs.
5.	In rural areas ensure your chain saw and tractor have fuel.
6.	Pack portable bedding in waterproof bags.
7.	Inspect trees again for weakness; trim or fell if necessary. Particularly common but dangerous in high winds are acacias, poincianas and their pods and coconuts.

Step 3 (about 8 hours away)
1.	Prepare the strongest part of the house for shelter (usually the bathroom or a block room under a high-set); put mattresses and blankets underneath strong tables; set up emergency radio, lighting, stores, clothes, protective gear and strapping.
2.	If leaving your dwelling, go now to your pre-arranged destination and tell others where you are; don't wait until the last minute when being outside could be dangerous (see also Cyclone Warnings, Step 1, point 1 following).

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CYCLONE WARNINGS
A cyclone warning means the area is threatened with cyclonic winds within 24 hours. KEEP CALM AND STAY INDOORS.

FIRST AID
Have your household First Aid Kit always available. Periodically review contents, replace used or expired items. Take with you when sheltering from a cyclone and to the Welfare Centre if asked to evacuate. Do a first aid certificate course as qualified medical attention may be delayed in an emergency. Kits are available from local chemists and first aid suppliers; see 'Chemists' and 'First Aid' in Business Guide.

Safe Swimming, Snorkelling and Diving
Many types of marine stingers exist in tropical and subtropical waters of the world. The Whitsundays region is no different. A range of venomous types including dangerous and non-dangerous jellyfish, stonefish, stingrays, blue ring octopus, fire corals, sea snakes, and others occur in our waters, and may be present onshore and offshore any time of year. While the likelihood of encountering any of these creatures is very low, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk of any injury.

Myths & truths about Irukandjis and Box Jellyfish

MYTHS		TRUTHS
Jellyfish only sting in summer		Stings occur year-round
No jellyfish at the reef & islands		Stingers occur both along the coast and off shore
I’m healthy; I’ll be fine		Most sting victims are healthy prior to the event.
Vinegar doesn’t work; it still hurts		Vinegar is the best treatment; it kills stinging cells and stops additional venom from entering the body

Sunburn
Sunburn is a common injury when in or near water, particularly while snorkelling. Wear a shirt, 30+ sunscreen, a hat and UV protective sunglasses.

General marine safety in the Whitsundays

• Wear protective clothing
• A full-length lycra suit offers environmentally safe sun protection (no harmful chemicals leeching into the water, as with sunscreen), and provides excellent prevention of jellyfish stings by reducing the amount of exposed skin by more than 75%; most cruise operators offer reasonable daily stinger suit hire
• Carry vinegar to apply to stings when you go swimming, boating or cast-netting. Some beaches provide vinegar
• Don’t swim alone
• Make sure someone knows where you are and when you expect to be home
• Have access to help
• Carry mobile phone or VHF radio
• If in doubt of a sting, treat it as Irukandji
• Saturate stings with vinegar, even minor stings.
• Don’t go back in the water until you’re sure you are not ill (Irukandji syndrome typically takes 30 minutes to develop)
• If in doubt or in distress, seek medical help ASAP

If stung...

• Seek help (“000” or contact marine activities centre)
• Treat the person: emergency care (start CPR if necessary)
• Treat the sting: Vinegar the sting as early as possible
• DO NOT RUB – DO NOT APPLY FRESH WATER
• Seek medical aid