Being Prepared and Safe During Cyclone Alfred
We’re used to a bit of wild weather in Brisbane, and are generally pretty well equipped to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way. But we haven’t had a cyclone hit our city though for over half a century, so Cyclone Alfred is a weather event many of us haven’t experienced before.
Your general and electrical safety is everything to us, and we want to assure you Voltora Industries is here to help in any way we can. We have a mobile team on the ground, and will prioritise any emergency electrical callouts during this time.
Call us on 1300 799 430 if we can help at all. Our emergency electricians are on call.
If your health and safety is at significant risk, please call 000 immediately. In flood and storm emergencies, also contact the SES on 132 500.
There is a high chance that your power is going to go out during the cyclone period. Please stay calm if it does. The Energex Outage Finder will help you determine if it’s a widespread issue. If it’s local to your property, Voltora will be able to assist once it’s safe to do so.
We want to go over a few electrical and general safety tips to help keep you and your family safe during and after the cyclone. Have a read of them and don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team if you need assistance.
1. Stay Inside and Away from Electrical Hazards
- Keep indoors and avoid windows. Your home is the safest palace to be during the storm.
- Stay clear of electrical outlets and appliances. If you’re near an electrical outlet or appliance, make sure you’re not standing in water. Don’t use them if they’re wet.
- Use torches instead of candles. Candles can become a fire hazard.
- Avoid using landline phones. Lightning strikes can travel through telephone lines.
2. Turn Off Power If Necessary
- If there’s flooding, turn off power at your switchboard if it’s safe to do so.
- Unplug all non-essential appliances to reduce the risk of power surges when electricity is restored.
3. Be Aware of Power Lines
- Do not go outside until it’s declared safe to do so by authorities.
- Watch out for fallen or sparking power lines. If you see one downed outside, assume it is live and report it to Energex (13 19 62). Stay at least eight metres away at all times.
- Steer clear of water pooling near electrical infrastructure. It could be hiding live wires.
4. Keep Communication and Emergency Supplies Close
- Keep a battery-powered radio on hand so you can receive emergency updates if the internet, phones and power is out.
- Keep mobile phones for necessary and emergency use only to relieve pressure on congested networks.
- Keep all your emergency contacts close at hand. Get your neighbours numbers too so you can check in on each other.
5. Be Cautious After the Cyclone Passes
- Hazards like fallen trees, live power lines, and flooding can still pose dangers once the cyclone is passed. Remain indoors until advised otherwise.
- Do a comprehensive check for any electrical damage in your home. Check for the smell of burning too. If anything seems amiss, contact Voltora on 1300 799 430.
- If there has been flooding in your home or electrical appliances have gotten wet at all, please don’t use them.
If the power to your property got shut down because of flooding, Energex may issue you with an Electricity Defect Report. If this happens, you’ll need a licensed electrician to do a site visit and a safety check before Energex reconnect you. Voltora can assist with this, just get in touch.
Voltora Industries Will Help you Stay Safe
Your safety and wellbeing are extremely important to Voltora, particularly in the challenging times posed by Cyclone Alfred. If you experience any electrical issues, we’re ready to assist.
Stay safe and informed. Take heed of the above points, and don’t try and solve any electrical problems yourself. That’s what we’re here for. Our number again is 1300 799 430.
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