Know where and how to turn off
mains power, water, gas and solar power
To enable fast action in an emergency, draw a map of your
property and clearly mark the location of your electrical
switchboard, natural gas connection or tanks, water supply, and
solar inverter, and keep this with your Household Emergency Plan.
Remember to turn off power at the main switch in your
switchboard. Two separate inspections must occur on a
cyclone-affected property before power can be reconnected to your
property. Your electricity provider and a licensed electrician will
both need to inspect and test household wiring.
If the water supply system has been flooded, assume it is
contaminated. Damage to water pipes is reduced when depressurised.
Shove a towel down into the water bowel and weigh that down with a
sand bag or brick, to reduce contamination of floodwater by
untreated sewage.
Turn off your gas supply or gas cylinders. Do not attempt to use
gas appliances if your property has sustained damage. Any gas
installation affected by cyclone damage must be checked by a
licensed gasfitter, at your expense, before the gas supply can be
restored. Your flood insurance might cover the expense. The
operator should replace cycloone-affected regulators or meters that
form part of the gas network.
If your solar system is at risk of being damaged during a
cyclone, this is what you should do.
Your solar power system should shut down if mains power is
turned off. However, you can manually turn off the solar power
system by following the shutdown procedure listed on or near your
solar inverter or meter box. Do not attempt to turn the solar power
system on when floods have receded. Call your installer, explain
the situation and ask them to recommission the system. Or call your
licensed electrical contractor. The inverter will need to be
replaced if it has been submerged.
Do not attempt to approach your solar power system or attempt to
turn it off if any of the components are damaged or wet, as this
could cause a lethal electric shock.
In the event your property is affected by a cyclone and you lose
mains supply (grid supply) to your house, your photovoltaic array
power system is designed to cut out immediately. Do not attempt to
turn your inverter back on. If you wish to manually shut down your
inverter, please read the instructions located on or near the
inverter. Homeowners who are forced on to their rooftops to avoid
floodwaters or a storm surge need to stay well clear of the panels
and associated wiring, because the panels will continue to produce
power event though the mains supply is off.
Only allow licensed electricians to access the switchboard or
electrical equipment that has been affected by floods or damaged by
a cyclone. If in doubt please do not put your life in danger and
leave well alone.
Have tarps and ropes on hand in
the event of roof damage
If your home has sustained roof damage, someone will need to
temporarily fix a tarpaulin with ropes to prevent further water or
wind damage, until your roof can be repaired permanently. Check who
in your street or community can provide tarpaulins.
Tarpaulin is a durable, water proof, material that can be used
for many things inside and outside of the average home. While many
people are used to seeing tarpaulin used during home or business
renovations, this handy material can be used in emergency
situations to make the home safe. Tarpaulins are costly to
purchase, heavy, hard to handle and need regular maintenance.
First, call the SES on 132 500, tell them about the damage to
your house, and ask them if they can provide emergency repair. The
State Emergency Service (SES) comprises volunteers and staff who
provide a response capability within each local government area.
SES responders are trained on how to safely fix tarpaulins to
damaged roofs.
Then, contact your household insurance company.
Tarp Hire can take the hard work out of tarps, especially in an
emergency situation such as storm damage to a property. You could
can hire a tarp from Tarp Hire 1300 133 844. However, if your roof
has been damaged, it's likely that many homes in your area have
been affected and demand will be high. Households that are
self-sufficient will fair better, so consider purchasing your own.
Tarp Hire has more than 400 tarps in stock and all of their
tarpaulins are made of strong and durable high quality PVC. They
provide a rapid service and are able to supply tarps 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.