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If you only have hours to prepare:
We are big believers in hoping for the best over here, but sometimes you also need to prepare for the worst. Australia’s east coast is facing its third La Niña season in a row this summer.
The science shows longer and more severe fire seasons are to become the new normal. Rainfall predictions indicate a likely increase in the frequency and magnitude of floods for those living on the coast or near rivers and wetlands and we are seeing that play out in real time.
With all of that to consider, and another dangerous disaster season before us, it’s more important than ever to be prepared.
While the east coast of Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, has unfortunately been a particular focus with severe flood risks, it’s important for other parts of the country to remember that isn’t the only risk this summer.
Forecasting shows Western Australia and South Australia are at risk of bushfire in the coming months, while there could be damaging cyclones up north.
It’s important for everyone to be vigilant. Staying prepared and ready for these potentially ferocious events is incredibly important – and can quite frankly, be the difference between life and death.
Whether you’re well prepared or are more likely to get your gear together on evacuation day, we’ve got a disaster preparedness list to help.
Please bear in mind: this is a checklist for the tech you should take with you to stay connected, not a full guide on what to take in the event of a disaster. For a full disaster preparedness checklist, take a look at one prepared by your State Emergency Service like this one from NSW.
If you’ve got some time to prepare
These are the tasks that can take the longest ahead of a disaster, and when you’re within a few days or even a few hours of an evacuation order, you probably won’t have time to get it all done. So if you’re reading this and in a disaster prone area – it might be a good idea to start ticking off some of these items if you haven’t already.
Download emergency alert and news apps
First things first – these news and government apps will give you the most up-to-date information on what’s happening in your area, including natural disaster warnings:
- Bureau of Meteorology
- ABC News
- Emergency+
If you have a newer model smartphone (2019+), many will also have a built in Weather app that can notify you of severe weather warnings.
Your state’s live traffic apps are also a good idea to download to help alert you to traffic and road closures if you need to evacuate.
Be alert to changing conditions
Subscribe to push notification services on the apps above that will alert you to weather changes, road closures and updates from other service providers in your area.
Back up and save your data
Store your important data, like contact information and personal photos, in the cloud using an online service. If you have an Apple or Google device, these smartphones have automatic backups to make sure your photos are always saved.
It could also be worth saving Map data offline in services such as Google Maps in case internet connectivity goes down so you can still get directions and know where you are if you leave your home and get lost.
To do this in Google Maps on your iPhone or Android device, tap on your profile picture up the top of the screen and then Offline Maps and Select Your Own Map.
Save your emergency numbers as priorities
Store a list of essential contact numbers for your local Police, Fire, SES teams as well as friends and family on your phone and as a non-electronic, ideally waterproofed, backup. Make sure you include our dedicated disaster assistance number – 1800 888 888.
You can save these numbers in your device so they’ll appear on your Favourites tab for quick and easy access.
When you have your list of essential numbers, make sure you make a printed copy to keep in your wallet, purse or bag, and keep a version in your car as well. Power can go out for a week or longer during a disaster.
Keeping a printed copy means that if your phone is out of battery and you need an important phone number, you always have it handy. If you are in a flood prone area and want to take it to the next level – laminate the card so it’s now waterproof.
Consider a satellite phone or repeater device
In rural and regional areas, a satellite phone operates independent of any damaged infrastructure and can operate in remote locations. If your communications are critical or if you’re in an isolated area, a satellite phone backup could come in handy. And if you only have one, make sure it’s charged and accessible in the event you do need to use it.
You can also take a look at our range of repeaters and extenders to see if one suits your needs. If you’re in an area where you may need to leave your home, you might be better off looking at mobile repeaters installed to your car rather than stationary repeaters for the home, shed or office.
Legal network coverage extension devices amplify the existing network signal your mobile device receives, which extends the area that your device can work in. These devices can help you connect to the Telstra mobile network from further away than normally possible, or in areas where a signal may struggle to penetrate – such as indoors, or in hilly or dense terrain.
It’s important to note that mobile phone boosters are illegal to own possess or operate on any mobile network in Australia, and they can disrupt or even prevent others from making calls to emergency 000.
If disaster is predicted in the next few days
You’ve just heard the news: there’s flooding predicted in your area this week. Or you’re in a high fire danger area and there’s a hot, windy day predicted this week. Or there’s a cyclone forming off the coast.
Whatever the type of disaster, if you’ve been provided warning and if you start now, you can prepare adequately for the worst. Here are the basics:
Invest in an alternative charger
If you don’t already have one, purchase a phone charger that isn’t dependent on a power outlet. A popular choice is a ‘power bank’ battery pack that can be charged from a power outlet prior to an event and used if grid electricity is unavailable, or a portable solar panel charger or in-car charger.
Make sure that you have one that’s big enough to hold a few charges just in case – a minimum of 10,000mAh in size, or preferably 20,000mAh. If you are hoping to keep a tablet, laptop, or the portable game console for the kids with some charge, make sure you buy one that says it supports USB-C Power Delivery (PD).
Enable Wi-Fi calling and SMS over Wi-FI
If the mobile network signal is down during a disaster, you can still use your mobile phone to make and receive calls and text messages, where there’s available Wi-Fi coverage and provided your mobile device supports Wi-Fi Calling.
Wi-Fi Calling provides basic voice-calling capability on compatible devices when you’re connected to a supported Wi-Fi network and can’t connect to the Telstra mobile network.
We’ve also switched on SMS over Wi-Fi, allowing you to receive texts via your fixed line connection when you’ve got Wi-Fi coverage. Here’s our FAQs on how to set it up in case you haven’t already.
If you need to evacuate in the next 24 hours
Your phone just went off with the State Emergency Service’s evacuation order.
No matter where you heard it, it’s time to go. Here’s our checklist for the absolute essentials you need to know.
Charge your phone. Right now.
Every second matters when you need power. Anyone looking to charge their phone before heading out of the house knows this. And if you got a text recommending evacuation, you might not know when you’ll be near a working power point again.
Charge your phone on the highest wattage charger you can find in the house for as long as you can. Don’t forget to turn it on loud while you do this so you can hear calls and messages come through.
When you’re ready to leave, take the phone and the charger. You might not be able to find another one of these in a hurry if you’re evacuated.
If your phone coverage says “SOS” you can still get help
If your phone starts to show “SOS” or something similar in its coverage map, that means that your normal network is unavailable, but another mobile provider still has coverage where you are. You won’t be able to browse the web or ring your family, but you will be able to dial ‘000’ if you are in need of emergency assistance.
Use local information sources
Online, social media accounts for your local authorities and emergency services will share crucial information. Your local broadcaster will also share information over the radio – make sure you have a battery-powered radio or car radio to listen in on.
Below we’ve provided a short list of some official information sources from various federal, state and territory governments that you should read if you’re preparing yourself and your home against disaster.
Government agencies for emergency response information:
Other critical information websites:
Be prepared for the worst
We know how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones when disaster hits, but our mobile towers, exchanges and cables can be affected by Mother Nature just like everything else.
While we work to fix any disruption to our services as quickly as possible, it’s important to keep in mind that you may lose all connectivity for an extended period during a disaster.
We need safe access to a site and power to get everything back online. For example, we may need to wait for flood waters to recede before we can get in and get to work. That can sometimes take several days. During the floods in Northern NSW earlier this year, parts of our infrastructure were completely washed away, and that takes even longer to fix.
We know being cut off can be scary and frustrating so please consider what you need to do to stay safe and connected in an emergency.
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