Cyclones Information Booklet 2015 2015 | Page 20

ARE YOU MENTALLY PREPARED? It is important to prepare yourself mentally for what it may be like to experience a severe tropical cyclone. Some people can find the experience stressful, scary and traumatic. Try to picture yourself in a cyclonic event and think of how you, your family and other members of your house hold might deal with the stress of a cyclone. During a cyclone: • You could be inside for many hours • There will be a lot of noise. You may not be able to talk to others over the noise. • Walls and windows in your home may move and wall cladding and roofing can be torn off • Loose material can crash into your home and could pierce the walls, roof or windows • Windows can blow in due to the pressure • Horizontal rain can enter the house from under doors and through building joints • Assistance from emergency services may be hours away at the height of the cyclone • Identifying your house and property risk and taking the necessary preparedness action will greatly increase safety and wellbeing. For further information on what you can expect during a cyclonic event and how you can prepare yourself, contact the DFES Port Hedland District Office on (08) 9158 1300. 20