132 500 NSW SES (flood, storm, tsunami help)
Life-threatening emergency: call 000.
Source: NSW SES During a stormStorm coming
- Secure anything that could blow away: outdoor furniture, bins, chemicals.
- Park cars under cover, away from trees, powerlines and creeks. Blankets tied down over the car reduce hail damage.
- Close windows, shutters and curtains. Unplug electrical items, aerials and computers (power surges).
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may need help.
Severe storm warning or storm hitting
- Get everyone and everything inside now, including children and pets. Keep your emergency kit nearby.
- The safest place is indoors, away from windows, external doors and skylights, until the storm has fully passed.
- Caught outside: secure shelter away from trees, powerlines, creeks and low-lying areas.
- Driving: don’t try to beat it home. Stop clear of trees, powerlines and creeks.
- Stay out of the water and away from damaging surf.
- Power out: note the time and check your safety switch. Watch for downed powerlines outside.
- Never drive through floodwater. If it’s flooded, forget it.
Severe thunderstorms
The most common storm in NSW. Winds of at least 90 km/h, sometimes over 200 km/h; hail at least 2 cm across; very heavy rain causing flash flooding. Roofs, skylights and windows can be badly damaged; power and phones may be out for long periods.
Source: NSW SES Types of stormsCyclone
Cyclone forecast for your area
- Fuel the car and park it sheltered on high ground, away from trees, powerlines, waterways and storm surge areas.
- Secure boats, caravans, trailers, outdoor furniture, shade sails.
- Fit cyclone screens or board up exposed windows and doors.
- Fill containers with drinking water. Kit: at least 3 days of supplies, more if remote or likely to be cut off.
- Know how to turn off electricity (including solar), gas and water.
- Choose a shelter room: usually the smallest room with no windows, like a bathroom. If you can’t avoid windows, have a mattress or heavy blanket ready.
24 to 48 hours out
- Bureau map: dark orange warning area = gales or worse expected within 24 h; light orange watch area = possible in 24 to 48 h.
- In a storm surge area: decide early whether to evacuate. Surge can arrive first, sometimes 24 hours before the cyclone.
- Bring everything in, close up, unplug, have your grab-and-go bag ready, move indoors with children and pets.
When it crosses the coast
- It can sound like a roaring train or jet engine, for many hours.
- The calm eye is not the end. The second half often brings stronger winds with little warning.
- Stay inside, in your shelter room, until officials say it is safe.
Cyclone categories
| Cat | Strongest gust | Typical effects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | under 125 km/h | Gales. Minimal house damage; damage to some trees, crops, caravans. |
| 2 | 126–164 km/h | Destructive winds. Minor house damage; risk of power failure. |
| 3 | 165–224 km/h | Very destructive. Some roof and structural damage; power failure likely. |
| 4 | 225–279 km/h | Very destructive. Significant roof and structural damage; dangerous flying debris; widespread power failure. |
| 5 | over 280 km/h | Extremely destructive. Widespread destruction. |
Storm tide = storm surge on top of the normal tide. Worst when it arrives at high tide; it can reach areas that are normally safe. Homes within 100 to 200 m of an open shoreline are also at risk from breaking waves.
Source: Get Ready Queensland Know your risk: cyclone and storm surgeLibrary: NSW SES storm guide, Cyclone preparedness guide, Cyclones and severe storms, Severe weather safety guide.