Individuals are also reminded not to use wet appliances during or after the storm. Additionally, appliances should be unplugged - particularly if water begins to enter a home, when electrocution becomes a possibility. Surges in utility systems could cause damage to homes and buildings, so it is recommended all lines are turned off to avoid risks like leaks and possible fire. Disconnect electricity, gas, and water Image credit: Tiko Aramyan/
Windows without shutters should be boarded up or heavily taped.Ī warning is then issued when the cyclone is expected to hit within 24 hours, and at this point all families should be at home if not evacuated, vehicles should be parked in secure locations, in-gear and with the handbrake on, and windows and doors firmly shut. When a watch is issued, however, it is important to take further steps, like cleaning up outdoor property, filling vehicle tanks in case of evacuation orders, checking emergency kits and refilling water containers, ensuring battery-powered radios and lights are in working order, and ensuring family and neighbours are aware of the situation. Pre-storm season preparation for the threat of tropical storms includes developing an evacuation plans putting together emergency kits and storing food and water identifying the safest and nearest high ground and how best to get there checking the walls, roof, and eaves of a house to ensure they are secure trimming treetops and branches around the home affixing shutters to windows storing important documents like birth certificates and passports. Watches for tropical cyclones are typically issued when gales are expected within a 48-hour period, giving one or two days to prepare, so most of the work to protect homes, businesses and families from cyclones must be done in advance. The risks associated with cyclones are three-fold: they produce damaging winds, they bring heavy rainfall and result in major flooding, and they can cause a storm surge - a rise in sea level caused by the storm activity - which could be catastrophic to low-lying coastal regions. The storms are categorized on a scale of 1 to 5, with Category 5 bearing average gusts over flat land higher than 280 km/h, or 174 mph.
Tropical cyclones are violent, rotating storm systems that carry destructive winds, often devastating the coastal communities in their path.