Government launches Cyclone Ready campaign

1/11/00
Residents in the North-West will be even better prepared for this year's cyclone season with the launch today of the State Government's new Cyclone Ready campaign.
Emergency Services Minister Kevin Prince said today that while the aftermath of Cyclones John, Steve and Rosita were still fresh in the community's mind, it was important that people pulled together to make sure preparations were well under way for the 2000-01 cyclone season.
"Many Karratha residents will remember the devastation Cyclone John caused to Whim Creek last December and the evacuation of residents due to the threat of storm surge," Mr Prince said.
"The destruction of the award-winning Eco Beach tourist resort and nearby Thangoo Station by Cyclone Rosita last April also left a lasting impression on many Western Australians and overseas visitors to the State.
"Rosita was one of the most powerful and severe cyclones to cross the West Kimberley coast in the last 100 years."
Mr Prince said the State Emergency Service (SES), in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), had done an outstanding job in preparing this year's Cyclone Ready campaign.
"The aim is to reinforce the message to always be prepared for the dangers of cyclones," he said.
The comprehensive Cyclone Ready campaign aims to promote cyclone awareness to a number of key target groups including:

• residents;
• travellers;
• school students; and -
• people with special needs.

Cyclone Ready information has been developed to prepare communities in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Mid-West regions of Western Australia, who are at risk from the threat of cyclones and storm surge.
"By reading, following the instructions and preparing themselves based on the Cyclone Ready advice, our North-West communities will know what to do before, during and after a cyclone," Mr Prince said.
"Although North-West residents have seen first hand the damage cyclones can cause, other groups such as travellers are often unaware of the threat cyclones can pose to life and property.
"To make travellers aware of steps they need to take if caught in a cyclone, the SES has developed a traveller's alert which outlines actions to be taken during the blue, yellow and red alert stages of a cyclone.
"This will be available through accommodation houses and tourist centres in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid-West regions."
Mr Prince said that as a part of the 'Cyclone Ready' campaign, people with special needs would be able to register their details with the SES priority response database.
"By registering their details with the SES, people with special needs can be assisted as a matter of priority during an emergency," he said.
School students have also been specifically targeted in this year's Cyclone Ready campaign with a Cyclone Twins storybook and Stormwatchers CD Rom.
"By designing cyclone information specifically for school students, the SES hopes that cyclone preparation will become a way of life for these children and their families,"
Mr Prince said.
Media contact: Caroline Lacy on 9220 5000