Survival Skills: Cyclone
Ryan Nabil
May 06, 2009
Tropical cyclones are common phenomenon in regions like South Asia, South-East Asia and Australia. Unlike earthquake and fire-breakout, cyclone is a disaster which lets one take necessary precautionary measures before it strikes. Therefore, knowing what is the right thing to do before a cyclone is more effective than such knowledge regarding earthquakes or similar natural disasters, where chance for survival depends more on luck.
When The Cyclone Season Comes
Cyclone seasons are different in Northern and Southern hemisphere. When itīs cyclone season, itīs your legal and social duty to make sure the branches of trees on your property or your rented property are trimmed properly. Cut off the weak branches of the trees to reduce the potential damage of cyclone. Besides, check your house for weak parts and if found, donīt hesitate to repair it. Also, make sure that most of the loosened items, especially the sharp ones like iron rod are kept in cupboard or tied to a strong structure or else, it can convert into missiles during a cyclone. Keep wooden board in your house so that you can nail them to the window to protect them from wind in case a cyclone strikes.
Emergency Kit
You should prepare your emergency kit prior to the cyclone season, which should ideally contain:
Battery-powered radio, spare batteries and torch lights
Hammer, nails and tape
Canned food and water supply for a few days
First aid kit, necessary medicine and saline
A list of emergency phone numbers and water-proof bags
If You Need To Evacuate
You should stay tuned to the local radio for latest updates and instructions about the cyclone. In some cases, it might be required to evacuate your home. In that case, leave early to avoid traffic congestion and wind hazard. During cyclone, many casualties occur when people are outside in strong winds and trees or flying objects hit them. You can avoid that by arriving earlier. Use the routes recommended by local disaster management bureau in case of inland evacuation. If you go to local shelter, follow the instruction of disaster management official. Donīt forget to secure your house and take your keys, cell phones and some amount of money.
Before The Cyclone
Before the cyclone, that is, when cyclone watch or warning is issued, fix up all loose items or put them in a cupboard. During the cyclone, they can turn into missiles due to the gusty wind. Lock all your doors and protect your window by shutting down the shutters or nailing hardboard to the window. If wooden board is not available, tape your window heavily in a cross-wise fashion. Fill up the fuel tank of your vehicle, if you have one and park it under a well-protected shade. The water after the cyclone might be contaminated, so itīs better if you store up water in your buckets and perhaps, the bath tub. You will be needing it for drinking and other purposes. Meanwhile, disconnect electricity to electrical equipments by plugging or turning off the main fuse; otherwise, the electrical appliances may be damaged due to power surge during the cyclone or overload of electric circuit after power is restored.
When The Cyclone Hits
When the cyclone finally hits and you are at home, take shelter in the strongest part of your building, which is usually the cellar, the bathroom or an internal corridor. Stay clear of the windows as it may break down, but donīt forget to take the emergency kit with you. If your building starts breaking apart, take shelter under a strong table or bed and cover yourself with a blanket. If the cyclone stops for sometime, donīt think that the cyclone is over, because itīs probably the "calm eye" of the cyclone and soon violent wind will be restored from the opposite direction. Listen to the radio and donīt move out unless an official all-clear declaration has been made.
A Word About The Weaker Ones
If you have physically disabled or older people at home or in your neighborhood, enquire about them and make sure they are all right and they are taking necessary measures for the cyclone. Never forget the common values of humanity and if you have anyone who needs power for life-support, you should consider buying a generator beforehand or admit him/her a hospital where electricity wouldnīt be disrupted.
When The Cyclone Ends
Donīt go outside to watch what has happened due to the cyclone out of curiosity after the cyclone is over. Stay home and if possible, check if your neighbors are all right. Try not to call unless thereīs an emergency, because you might be blocking the network for someone who really needs to call. After a few hours, when itīs safe to go out, beware of the fallen wires, as you ran a risk of getting electrocuted if you touch them.
Documents and Insurance
Check with your insurance company if your valuable commodities are under insurance for natural disasters. Keep a copy of your valuable documents in a fire-proof box or at safety-locker of a bank. You will never regret having taken these measures. When the cyclone occurs, put the original certificates, documents and passports in water or fire-proof bag and keep it in a safe place.
When The Cyclone Season Comes
Cyclone seasons are different in Northern and Southern hemisphere. When itīs cyclone season, itīs your legal and social duty to make sure the branches of trees on your property or your rented property are trimmed properly. Cut off the weak branches of the trees to reduce the potential damage of cyclone. Besides, check your house for weak parts and if found, donīt hesitate to repair it. Also, make sure that most of the loosened items, especially the sharp ones like iron rod are kept in cupboard or tied to a strong structure or else, it can convert into missiles during a cyclone. Keep wooden board in your house so that you can nail them to the window to protect them from wind in case a cyclone strikes.
Emergency Kit
You should prepare your emergency kit prior to the cyclone season, which should ideally contain:
Battery-powered radio, spare batteries and torch lights
Hammer, nails and tape
Canned food and water supply for a few days
First aid kit, necessary medicine and saline
A list of emergency phone numbers and water-proof bags
If You Need To Evacuate
You should stay tuned to the local radio for latest updates and instructions about the cyclone. In some cases, it might be required to evacuate your home. In that case, leave early to avoid traffic congestion and wind hazard. During cyclone, many casualties occur when people are outside in strong winds and trees or flying objects hit them. You can avoid that by arriving earlier. Use the routes recommended by local disaster management bureau in case of inland evacuation. If you go to local shelter, follow the instruction of disaster management official. Donīt forget to secure your house and take your keys, cell phones and some amount of money.
Before The Cyclone
Before the cyclone, that is, when cyclone watch or warning is issued, fix up all loose items or put them in a cupboard. During the cyclone, they can turn into missiles due to the gusty wind. Lock all your doors and protect your window by shutting down the shutters or nailing hardboard to the window. If wooden board is not available, tape your window heavily in a cross-wise fashion. Fill up the fuel tank of your vehicle, if you have one and park it under a well-protected shade. The water after the cyclone might be contaminated, so itīs better if you store up water in your buckets and perhaps, the bath tub. You will be needing it for drinking and other purposes. Meanwhile, disconnect electricity to electrical equipments by plugging or turning off the main fuse; otherwise, the electrical appliances may be damaged due to power surge during the cyclone or overload of electric circuit after power is restored.
When The Cyclone Hits
When the cyclone finally hits and you are at home, take shelter in the strongest part of your building, which is usually the cellar, the bathroom or an internal corridor. Stay clear of the windows as it may break down, but donīt forget to take the emergency kit with you. If your building starts breaking apart, take shelter under a strong table or bed and cover yourself with a blanket. If the cyclone stops for sometime, donīt think that the cyclone is over, because itīs probably the "calm eye" of the cyclone and soon violent wind will be restored from the opposite direction. Listen to the radio and donīt move out unless an official all-clear declaration has been made.
A Word About The Weaker Ones
If you have physically disabled or older people at home or in your neighborhood, enquire about them and make sure they are all right and they are taking necessary measures for the cyclone. Never forget the common values of humanity and if you have anyone who needs power for life-support, you should consider buying a generator beforehand or admit him/her a hospital where electricity wouldnīt be disrupted.
When The Cyclone Ends
Donīt go outside to watch what has happened due to the cyclone out of curiosity after the cyclone is over. Stay home and if possible, check if your neighbors are all right. Try not to call unless thereīs an emergency, because you might be blocking the network for someone who really needs to call. After a few hours, when itīs safe to go out, beware of the fallen wires, as you ran a risk of getting electrocuted if you touch them.
Documents and Insurance
Check with your insurance company if your valuable commodities are under insurance for natural disasters. Keep a copy of your valuable documents in a fire-proof box or at safety-locker of a bank. You will never regret having taken these measures. When the cyclone occurs, put the original certificates, documents and passports in water or fire-proof bag and keep it in a safe place.
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