Stocking up 

Food, water, light, fuel, health and communication will be critical to our survival during and after the bad weather, so stock up on the following:

• Nutritious non refrigerated, tinned and dried foods.
• Store plenty of drinking water in bottles
       and washing water in rain barrels.
• A kitchen water filter system | water purification  tablets.
• Extra cooking gas.
• Coal pot or barbecue grill and coals.
• Radio, torches, lanterns and batteries.
• Portable USB battery charger for mobile phones.  
• All necessary medication and first aid supplies.
• Solar emergency power source, or devices
       with built in solar capability.
• Make provision for your pets - Tinned or dried food,
       dry bedding, litter, carry basket, a good leash.
       Remember, what scares you, will terrify them,
       so be extra caring.

Go Bag 

Create a GO BAG for each family member containing practical changes of warm clothing which are easily washed and dried with weather proof shoes, coat and hat. 

Include personal items such as penlight torches, chargers, small games and favourite books or toys.

It may be a while before services are restored,
so consider things which will occupy this time.

This is not a cosmetic exercise or a rehearsal for an unlikely event.  It is often simply the lifeline between disaster and survival.  Our technology is great, but nature is greater.  We are now sharing the burden of global warming and poor global environmental awareness.

So let us be proactive and do as much as we can to ensure our safety, while removing the possibility of becoming part of an accumulated problem during and after natural disasters.

COVID-19

By now we are well versed in COVID-19 protocols regarding social distancing and sanitisation.

We must now consider implementation of these under potential storm conditions. These are real parallel problems of health and safety, played out in hazardous conditions. How well these protocols are applied will determine how we will protect ourselves from a complex condition.

To this end, face masks, rigorous sanitisation and distancing must be of prime importance, especially when close grouping may be necessary at the height of storm conditions and in the aftermath of a disaster.

Where possible, it is always recommended to designate well ventilated, dry and damp free, safe zone areas, within your home or shelter, with adequate sanitiser, disposable tissue, face masks, toilet and washing facilities, seating or rest areas within social distancing protocols and changes of clean, dry clothing for prolonged periods of stay.
Try to do this at the earliest possible time so you can adjust the plan to best suit your needs.

Maintaining the discipline of distancing throughout this process is paramount to safety.  Even organising regular sanitisation can go a long way to reducing risk.

These are basic standards.  Please contact your own National Emergency Management Organisations for further guidance, especially when utilising community shelters or safe zones.
 

Now focus on your home

With your family plan and supplies in place,
turn your focus to your home.

Your location, access, house materials, building condition and drainage should influence all protection and survival plans.

• If you are in an area prone to puddling or flooding, your       drains and runoffs must be clear from obstructions at all       times.
• Review where flood water comes from.  
• Try to reroute or deepen drains, to slow and change the       direction of flow, away from you home.
• Always be aware of your neighbours in the changes you       make.  Enlist their involvement to the benefit of all.
• Check your roof for weaknesses, enlist the services of      roofing contractors and update or strengthen all roof         sheets where necessary.
• Check your gutters and downpipes for obstructions.
• If possible, make sure you have tools on hand, which           relate to your capabilities and understanding of tasks           which you may encounter, after the storm.  eg. hammer,       saw, screw drivers, spanner, crow bar, etc.
      If this is not possible, connect with a reliable neighbour,        friend or relative who may be able to promptly assist you.