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Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 February 2024 10:25

Severe storms are often unpredictable and can occur at any time, involving lightning, thunder, hail, wind gusts and flash flooding. These storms can cause major damage to property, injury and loss of life.

Pay attention to severe storm warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and visit www.bom.com.au to find out if your area may be impacted. Always wait for storm activity to pass completely before going outdoors.

The Get ready website provides useful, simple information to help you organise your home, business and pets.

 

Before a storm

  • Prepare an emergency kit
  • Check your roof and clean gutters
  • Secure objects in your yard or deck
  • Trim trees and overhanging branches
  • Ensure insurance is up to date
  • Identify safest room in the building
  • Identify where and how to turn off mains supply for water, power and gas
  • Ensure mobile phones are fully charged

 

During a storm

If you are outside

  • Avoid taking shelter under trees or in open structures such as gazebos
  • Take shelter in an enclosed vehicle or solid building
  • If there is no shelter available, crouch on your own with your feet together and avoid being the tallest object in the area
  • Stay out of water including creeks and swimming pools
  • Do not travel in open vehicles, ride bicycles or horses
  • If you are travelling in a vehicle, slow down, turn on hazard lights and park undercover away from trees and powerlines

If you are inside

  • Stay away from windows, doors and skylights
  • Shelter in the safest place in the building. 
  • Avoid using electrical appliances
  • Use the radio to listen for warnings, updates and advice
  • Disconnect external aerials and electrical appliances
  • Draw all curtains and keep clear of metal and electrical fixtures like pipes or landline telephones
  • Avoid touching brick and concrete or standing barefoot on concrete or tiled floors

 

After the storm has passed

  • Check the building and yard for damage. Stay away from fallen powerlines. Report all fallen powerlines to Ergon on 13 22 96
  • Check on neighbours but do not go sightseeing

 

Assistance during storms

  • Report life threatening issues to emergency services on 000
  • For emergency help call the SES (State Emergency Services) on 132 500

 

Caring for your pets during a storm

  • Bring pets inside, especially if they may be able to escape the yard when panicking 
  • Ensure emergency plans include pets, taking into account the need for food, water, bedding and medications
  • Ensure you are able to transport pets appropriately (eg. leash, muzzle, halter)
  • Keep pet identification information up to date, as well as vaccinations

 

Preparing your business for storm season

CCIQ (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland) has partnered with Queensland Government, the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Get Ready Queensland to put together fact sheets, webinars, a video and other resources to help you organise your business for storm season.

The resources cover topics such as:

  • employee safety
  • business recovery
  • financial considerations 

View these resources at the CCIQ website.