Businesses have been urged to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is currently forecast to turn towards the south-east Queensland coast today with a coastal impact later this week.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects damaging winds of up to 120 kilometres per hour to develop along the south-east Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales coastal fringes and island communities between Tewantin and Grafton on Wednesday. Gales may extend further north from Tewantin to Sandy Cape late on Wednesday or early Thursday.
Heavy rainfall is forecast for the region from Wednesday which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches the coast late on Thursday or early Friday. Flood watches have been issued for these areas.
Refer to associated warnings for Queensland and New South Wales here.
Make A Plan
To prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies, the Queensland Government advises business to develop the following plans:
> Risk management plan – a plan that identifies risks to your business and ways to mitigate those risks;
> Incident response plan (includes an emergency plan) – a plan that includes procedures for responding to a disaster; and
> Business continuity plan – a plan to keep your business running during and after a disaster.
Note: By law, you must have an emergency plan for your business.
Before Cyclone
Ahead of the Cyclone, the Government’s advice is to:
> Pack a business emergency kit and store it in a place that is easy to access. If a natural disaster strikes and you need to evacuate, having an emergency kit can help keep your business running in another location.
> Prepare your premises, including:
- Checking with your local council to access flood records and local flood arrangements for your area;
- Search the coastal hazard property map to check risks to coastal erosion or storm tides;
- Check Queensland weather warnings and current tropical cyclone updates from the Bureau of Meteorology;
- Use your local council’s disaster dashboard to find information about road closures, river heights, evacuation centres and more;
- Check if your building meets cyclone standards (and if not up to standard, consider how to protect or temporarily relocate your business);
- Check emergency equipment, wiring, smoke and fire alarms etc;
- Identify where to relocate stock, equipment and vehicles (park vehicles under solid shelter with hand brake on and in gear);
- Store hazardous materials safely above ground level (or off-site) in case of flooding;
- Clear vegetation, gutters and loose equipment around your premises;
- Sandbag your premises for flooding (if applicable);
- Secure doors and windows with shutters, metal screens or tape on glass;
- Plan for any staff, customers or others remaining on your premises so they are fully informed and have access to first aid and emergency supplies; and
- Practice evacuating your business.
> Plan for loss of power, access, communications and operations, including:
- Plan for extended power outages by getting a generator and fuel;
- Ensure you have enough stock, supplies or spare parts in case your power or access is cut off;
- Identify alternative off-site locations to operate from;
- Plan for flexible staffing arrangements (e.g. work from home, online meetings);
- Plan how you will manage work orders, cancellations and following up on your insurance; and
- Plan for supply chain disruptions.
> Review insurances and finances, including:
- Check your insurance is up to date, and adequately covers your business, assets and any rebuilds or repairs that may be required;
- Photograph equipment or assets to show pre-event condition;
- Review and document how you will manage orders and cancellations; and
- Check you have financial reserves and emergency cash on hand.
During The Cyclone
> Monitor the incident, including:
- Check Queensland weather warnings and current tropical cyclone updates from the Bureau of Meteorology;
- Check ABC local radio and your local council’s disaster dashboard for alerts, updates and evacuation centre locations; and
- Check QLD Traffic for road conditions and closures or the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for interstate route planning.
> Follow emergency services advice to shelter or evacuate;
> If you have CCTV leave it running to capture video of potential damage for insurance purposes;
> Activate your incident response plan (includes emergency plan)
> Secure vehicles, equipment and supplies;
> Unplug electrical equipment, shut down master electrical board and gas supply;
> Collect your emergency kit;
> Secure your premises; and
> Evacuate premises if you need to leave.
After Cyclone
> Return to premises when safe and secure dangerous debris;
> Assess damage to buildings, assets, vehicles and equipment;
> Record decisions and photos and/or videos of damage in an event log for insurance claims;
> Estimate repair, replacement or relocation costs;
> Contact your landlord and insurer before cleaning up. They may fund clean-up and require authorisation before repairs begin; and
> Lodge claim as soon as possible – don’t wait for a full damage assessment before making a claim.
Note, insurers must fast track a claim if you can demonstrate ‘financial need’ (read item 64 of the General Insurance Code of Practice) – if the insurer agrees, an advance payment must be made within five days.
Your insurer must inform you of their decision to accept or deny your claim 10 business days after receiving all relevant information and completing all enquiries.
Early Recovery
> Keep your staff up-to-date on changes to the workplace or processes as you clean up and recover;
> If you have to temporarily close your business or reduce operations, consider how you will manage your staff during this time. Make sure you’re aware of your legal obligations as an employer;
> Review your business continuity plan (including recovery plan); and
> Review your finances and get financial help if necessary. Queensland natural disaster assistance includes grants, loans and other financial support for businesses and primary producers.
Please note: Like many businesses, HVIA’s operations may be affected by Cyclone Alfred. Keep an eye on our website and socials for more information.