COPING WITH A CYCLONE
"The answer my friends to blowing in the wind"

Increasingly, more and more people travel the northern parts of Australia earlier and later in the year. Many are now seen (in my home town of Broome) even during Christmas and early New Year. This is a good time to be up here if one can accept the heat and humidity: there are few insects, and there's plenty of parking outside the Post Office (an essential need as we all have post boxes - there is no home mail delivery).

There is however a real risk of cyclones as they routinely occur in the north and especially the north-west of Australia between November and mid-late April. There are usually four to six cyclone warnings each year. Only two or so tend to build up or come close but, if travelling by road, even minor cyclones (and/or those well out to sea) need to be treated seriously.

The map, reproduced courtesy the Bureau of Meteorology shows historical cyclone tracks. Most cross the north-west coast between Broome and Port Hedland, but occasionally places as far south as Geraldton may be at risk. Cyclones form and move slowly: typically at 10-12.5 km/hr. The slower they move the more serious they are likely to become. Most live for one to two weeks but some may extend longer. The risk is thus not so much being outrun by one, but rather not knowing there's one on the way.

A traveller is unlikely to pick up any physical signs (except that the barometer continues to fall). Locals (particularly Aborigines) can sometimes predict a cyclone is around. Frigate birds fly low and in groups of ten or more, heading away from the cyclone centre; snakes and lizards seek sheltering locations; the sea may take on an 'oily' look. Our Great Dane becomes restless.

When travelling up here between November-May check the weather reports on local ABC (AM) radio. Do this twice a day. Once a cyclone becomes a serious risk, updates are broadcast at 15 minutes after every hour.Warnings and regularly updated cyclone tracking maps are also provided on www.bom.gov.au There is/was also a really good US Navy source, but this seems to have become more focussed on security - and may no longer be accessible.

Whilst flying debris is a real hazard, the major risk from cyclones is severe flooding. Even if passing 200-300 kms offshore, cyclones produce torrential rain for several days. Major roads are likely to be under water for up to a week. Minor dirt roads may be closed for months.

Low-lying coastal areas are at serious risk from storm surge. Sea levels typically rise three to five metres. If the cyclone coincides with peak tide... to put it mildly it pays to be somewhere else. If a cyclone is reported as tracking within (say) 300 kms of where you are, don't panic, but forget your previous plans, and pack up quickly and drive away from the cyclone's previous tracking and, if feasible, its predicted direction. A good alternative (if available) is to go inland at right angles to the reported track. But cyclones are far from totally predictable: they may change and even backtrack so you need to continue to check radio reports. If caught out in say a Blue Alert ('cyclone may affect the area within 48 hours') head for the nearest town - ideally well away from the past and predicted track.

Many northern caravan parks have cyclone tie-down points. The staff will show you how to secure the vehicle. You will need rope with at least 900 kg breaking strain. Follow instructions exactly. It will take several hours and may seem overkill. You will think otherwise if the cyclone actually manifests! Pop-tops must have the roof lashed extra securely. They are very likely to pop! Following Cyclone Rosita, Broome had several open-top Kombi campers.

Cyclone warnings report the worst conditions that are likely. It is thus statistically probable that the effects you experience are likely to be less. At least they will not be worse. If the warnings escalate to 'Yellow Alert' ('Cyclone moving close and appears inevitable within 12-hours. Strong winds are likely to occur in affected areas') seek personal shelter in a safe building. The caravan park and/or local police will tell you where to go - and when. Do not delay this. Following a Yellow Alert, shops, businesses are closed and roads are progressively closed to all but emergency vehicles.

Do not play macho games with cyclones. One such character elected to stay in town, 'to experience what it's like'. This silly old so-and-so then freaked out so seriously he had to be hospitalized: in plus-160 km/hr winds. He risked not only his own life but that of the lives of the volunteer ambulance crew.

In summary - the Wet's a great time to be here, but you do need to be prepared.

This article is a précis of my chapter on 'Safety' in The Campervan & Motorhome Book. The book contains full, and official, illustrated details of how to tie down and secure the vehicle. The book is available through the CMCA.

I need once again to stress all my published writings are protected by Commonwealth Copyright. I again have a situation where a vendor has taken about 50% of an article in The Wanderer (on AGM batteries) and reproduced it word for word - omitting all negative parts. I am not normally litigious but I take Breach of Copyright seriously.