Cyclone and storm surge preparation checklist

This cyclone and storm surge preparation checklist will help you prepare your business for a cyclone.

Cyclones are violent storms that can damage your business through flooding, high winds, storm surges and flying debris. Knowing your business has strategies in place to help cope with a natural disaster like a cyclone should make it easier for your business to minimise losses, maintain business continuity and recover quickly.

Read through this cyclone and storm surge preparation checklist and click 'Yes' or 'No' to find out if your business is prepared. Any questions you 'answer 'No' to are the actions you'll need to complete to ensure your business is as prepared for a severe storm as possible.

You can customise this checklist to include information specific to your business by typing into the 'Other' section.

Stay connected and keep informed

Have you done the following?

Clearly identified and analysed the possible risks to your business from a cyclone
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Checked with your local council to become familiar with the community disaster plan, local evacuation centre locations, preferred transport routes and council's disaster dashboard
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Identified the local information channels and processes for alerts and updates on the cyclone
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Compiled a list of current emergency phone numbers, including numbers for your local police, fire, ambulance, State Emergency Service, local council, gas and electricity companies, and staff contacts
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Packed laptop, tablets and mobile phone(s), chargers (including car chargers), spare batteries and power banks
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Staff preparedness

Have you done the following?

Consulted with staff about the situation
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Allocated tasks for your staff to prepare the business for the cyclone
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Ensured staff safety by sending them home when necessary. Learn more about evacuation plans.
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Stock and equipment

Have you done the following?

Ensured enough stock is on hand to supply your business and customers in the critical period after the event
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Identified where equipment and vehicles will be relocated or put in place procedures to protect them
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Kept enough spare parts on site to ensure your equipment is operational for some weeks after the cyclone has passed
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Planned for the possibility of an extended power outage, including relocating any perishable stock to an alternative location
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Obtained a generator (if applicable) and a sufficient supply of fuel to support your business after the cyclone
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Established reciprocal help arrangements with similar businesses in areas that are unlikely to be affected by cyclone damage
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Infrastructure

Have you done the following?

Checked your building is in sound condition, especially the roof and eaves
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Trimmed any overhanging branches
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Cleared your property of any loose items that may blow about in extreme weather (e.g. sheet iron or wood)
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Treated windows to minimise damage from flying debris (e.g. taped windows or fitted them with metal screens or shutters)
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Business documentation and records

Have you done the following?

Understood your data requirements and identified what data in your business is important (data for processing orders and customer records would be considered high importance)
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Backed up your data, identified where your back-ups are located (e.g. on laptops, personal computers, servers or off-site) and secured them in a safe place
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Identified and prioritised your computer programs for business success (email, accounting, ordering applications) and secure the media (CDs/DVDs) and licences for these
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Identified what is needed to recover your programs and data (laptops, personal computers, servers) and make provisions to commission these. Know your network or internet access requirements
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Located and packed your critical documentation (e.g. insurance, financial, legal and identification documents) in a portable waterproof container
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Business continuity

Have you done the following?

Developed your business continuity plan
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Prepared an emergency kit
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Other

Have you:

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Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 17 Jul 2017
  • Last updated: 2 Mar 2022