MyArmadale

Heatwaves

A heatwave occurs when the maximum and the minimum temperatures are unusually hot over a three-day period at a location.

In the hot weather, you need to take care of your health. WA can experience long periods of extreme heat, where the maximum and minimum temperatures are much hotter than usual.

Some people are more vulnerable in the hot weather and need to take extra care of their health to prevent heat related illnesses such as heat stress and heat stroke.

If you have acute or chronic medical conditions, talk to your healthcare practitioner about the best ways to stay healthy and keep cool during heatwaves.

Know who to call for help and who to check on, such as neighbours, friends, relatives, and those who live alone. Share ways to stay safe during heatwaves with others.

Keep your home cool by keeping windows closed and shutting all blinds and curtains.

Check air-conditioners and fans are working and set to the ‘cool’ setting. If you need to service or replace your air-conditioner or fan, do so before summer.

Stock up on food so you are less likely to have to go outside. Take care when you buy, store and handle food

in hot weather to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

Keep electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops charged.

Have a battery, solar or wind-up powered torch and radio available. Have spare batteries on hand.

```
Prepare a first aid kit.
```

Make a plan to keep food and medicine safe during and after a power outage.

Think about installing insulation and roof cavity cooling if you do not have it already. Insulation keeps your house cool in summer and warm in winter.

If you are building or renovating, consider how you can make your house more heat tolerant.

Stay inside and keep out of the heat as much as possible. Plan to do most of your activities early or late in the day to avoid being outside during the hottest hours.

Avoid sport and heavy exercise during peak hours of the day.

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Keep your home cool by using external shade cloths or blinds to shield the inside of the house from direct sunlight.

Where possible use a combination of air conditioning and fans to keep certain rooms in the house cool. Electric fans can be an effective method of cooling if air conditioning is not available.

If not using air conditioning, open windows during the cooler parts of the day and allow ventilation between rooms.

Take cool showers or baths, splash yourself with cold water, or use a cool damp cloth to cool down.

If it's too hot at home, go to an air-conditioned shopping centre, community centre, library or your local swimming pool.

Avoid direct exposure to the sun where possible and protect yourself with appropriate clothing (loose-fitting, lightweight and light-coloured).

Do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles.

Keep in touch with friends, neighbours and relatives, particularly if they’re unwell or isolated.

Coping with hot weather can be very stressful and tiring. It can take a couple of days for you to completely recover.

To help you stay healthy after hot weather or extreme heat:

Continue to drink plenty of water so your body can get back in balance.

Open windows and doors during cooler parts of the day to ventilate and cool your home if it is safe to do so.

```
Get plenty of rest.
```

If you feel unwell, make a time to see your healthcare practitioner.

Contact family and friends to see how they coped and to check if they need help.

Think about the things you could do differently so you are more prepared to cope next time it is very hot.

Make any changes needed to your home so it will be more comfortable next time there is hot weather or extreme heat.

The Department of Health is the Hazard Management Agency for heatwaves. For valuable resources and guidance on how to stay safe during extreme heat events visit Healthy WA.

Emergency WA is Western Australia’s trusted source for emergency information providing information about alerts and warnings for emergencies across Western Australia. Visit Emergency WA or download the app to access these warnings and alerts.

The Bureau of Meteorology provides heat wave maps, forecasts and assessments. These resources can be found at BOM - Heatwaves.

Storms

Storms are the most common natural hazard in Australia and can occur at any time of year. Storms range in severity and can pass through fairly harmlessly or pose a significant threat to the community. Severe storms can impact communities with damaging wind, large hail, tornadoes and heavy rain that can cause flash flooding.

Before and during a storm, warnings are available through:

TV and radio broadcasts I ABC Radio – 720AM

Bureau of Meteorology Information Line - 1300 659 210

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Information Line - 13 3337

```
Emergency WA - Warnings & Incidents
```

Bureau of Meteorology - Western Australia Warnings

```
Australian Warning System
```

Storms can happen at any time of year, its best to prepare your property all year round by doing the following:

Keep branches and trees trimmed around structures and powerlines to prevent damage. If needed, hire a contractor to clear trees from power lines

Clear gutters and downpipes so they don't overflow after heavy rain

Check for loose tiles and cladding on roofs to reduce leaks and risk of flying debris

Check fastenings, joints and bolts on structures including carports and patios to make sure they are secure and not rusted

Store or weigh down loose objects around your home that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, such as trampolines or outdoor settings

Check your home, contents and car insurance cover are in order

Prepare an emergency kit with a battery-operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit

Organise an emergency plan, including a plan to evacuate for your family and pets in case you need to leave your home.

For storm preparation information click below:

Preparing your home and family for storms, visit: DFES Preparing for Storms

Preparing pets and animals for storms, visit: DPIRD Preparing animals for storms

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams

Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows

Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning

If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water

Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris

Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways

Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris

Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live

Assess your home, car and property for damage

If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs

If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on

132 500

Once a storm risk has passed and the warning has been downgraded, your property may be damaged and unsafe.

If you need temporary emergency repairs to make your home safe, such as for a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 to request assistance.

Call SES on 132 500 if you need assistance with:

Significant structural damage like collapsed roofs or ceilings

Temporary emergency repairs to homes and buildings

Removing fallen trees that have damaged homes and cars

Sandbagging areas in danger of flooding

```
Pumping out flood water 
```

Rescuing trapped or injured people, and helping people relocate if they are in danger.

What SES can not help with:

Clearing debris and organising permanent repairs

Attending to broken fences, trees that have fallen on fences or if there is debris around your property or in your pool

Basic repairs that you can manage yourself.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is the Hazard Management Agency for storms. For valuable resources and guidance on how to stay safe during a storm visit storms.

The Bureau of Meteorology provides severe weather warnings for potentially hazardous or dangerous weather. These resources can be found at Thunderstorms.

Floods

Floods are a natural disaster that can cause significant damage to property and pose risks to human life. They occur when water overflows onto normally dry land, often due to heavy rainfall, river overflow, or coastal storm surges. Flood waters can be dangerous, it is important you understand the risks of flooding and take steps to avoid injury or de

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is the Hazard Management Agency for floods. For detailed resources on flooding visit flood overview.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes may happen at any time, without warning and cannot be stopped or kept under control.

Western Australia is rattled by an earthquake nearly every day. While we don't feel every small tremor, larger earthquakes are powerful enough to cause serious damage to buildings and roads, and put people at risk.

If you live in an area that has experienced earthquakes before, you are more at risk and should be prepared for it to happen again.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is the Hazard Management Agency for earthquakes. For detailed information on how to prepare for an earthquake, what to do during an earthquake and recovering from an earthquake visit Earthquakes.