It was in 1908 that Dorothea Mackellar’s beloved poem, “My Country” was first published. The Spectator in London printed it under its original title, “Core of My Heart”. It describes Australia to a tee.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!
Natural disasters such as, bushfires, floods, mudslides, cyclones and tsunamis, can happen almost anywhere. If a natural disaster is looming and evacuation becomes ordered, every household should have an emergency “evac-bag” ready for each family member. Even if you hope to ride out the danger with a store of supplies, packing an easy-to-carry bag with essentials will prove helpful in the aftermath important to prepare well ahead of a heatwave.
An El Nino Alert has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) bringing expectations of hotter and drier weather in coming months.
The move from an El Nino “watch” to an “alert” means that there is a 70 per cent chance of the weather event developing this year, according to BOM Senior Climatologist Catherine Ganter.
“While the models show it’s very likely the tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures will reach El Nino levels during winter, we have seen some movement in the atmosphere towards El Nino conditions,“ Ms Ganter said.
El Nino brings with it greater chance of drought and extreme heat.“While our El Nino “alert” criteria have been met, these changes will need to strengthen and sustain themselves over a longer period for us to consider an El Nino event.”
El Nino largely affects Eastern Australia and brings dry weather as well as warmer than usual temperatures for the southern two-thirds of the country.
It also brings an increased risk of extreme heat across large parts of the country and increased bushfire danger in south-eastern Australia.
The BOM’s long-range forecast for winter includes drier and warmer conditions “across almost all of Australia” according to Ms Ganter.
“The long-range forecast for winter also shows an increased chance of below average rainfall for almost all of Australia and the move to El Nino “alert” does not change this forecast,” she said.
El Nino’s opposite weather pattern, La Nina, has gripped Australia for the past three years, bringing with cooler and wetter weather to the southeast.
The La Nina’s experienced from late 2020 to mid-2022 were stronger and longer than those in the past, bringing record rain and widespread flooding.
The last El Nino ran from 2015 to 2016, bringing with it characteristic dry conditions for eastern Australia, warmer temperatures, greater temperature extremes, increased frost risk, increased fire danger and a later monsoon, all of which can play havoc for weather-dependent farmers.
While other international meteorological agencies have already declared El Nino is in effect, the BOM has so far retained its “El Nino alert”, indicating a 70% chance of it developing.
Despite the looming El Nino, Australian farmers are expected to produce the third most valuable crop on record this financial year, according to the quarterly outlook released last week by the Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.
This is especially important if you are more at risk or sensitive to the effects of heat, or if you are caring for someone who is more at risk.
A heatwave preparation checklist
It helps prepare yourself and your home.
Talk to your relatives, neighbours and friends about keeping in contact during a heatwave in case you or they need help.
When creating a heatwave plan consider:
- who to call if you need help
- your GP’s advice if you have any medical conditions
- seeking medical advice from your GP or nearest hospital if you feel unwell:
- where to find your emergency kit in case of a power failure
- keeping an eye on the weather forecast
- being prepared of bushfires.
Understand your health.
Your health can be affected during a heatwave, especially if you have a medical condition or are more at risk to the effects of heat.
Before a heatwave you should:
- get advice from your GP about whether your medical condition will be affected by extreme heat
- talk to your GP about how much water you should drink in hot weather, especially if they normally limit your fluids.
- know who to call and make a list of people and telephone numbers.
Know your medications:
Many prescribed medications Can make the risk of heat-related illness worse.
If you are on regular medications, talk to your pharmacist about how your medications could affect your health in the heat.
It is important to remember that medications can become less effective or occasionally toxic when overheated.
Most medications need to be stored at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. Talk to your GP if you are unsure about correct storage temperatures.
Prepare your home:
Preparing your home for a heatwave helps keep you and your loved ones safe.
To prepare your home for a heatwave:
- check fridges, freezers, fans and air-conditioners work properly
- set air conditioning to cool.
- stock up on food for your household and pets, and medicines to last up to a week so you don’t have to go out in a heatwave
- ensure you have enough drinking water
- keep cool packs in the fridge or freezer to help you cool down
- fill spray bottles with cool water to spray on your face and body
- put together a small emergency kit in case of a power failure – this could include a torch, batteries, candles, matches, a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit
- check your home can be ventilated with cross breezes without compromising security.
- install, update or adapt curtains or blinds.
- choose curtains with pale linings in rooms that get a lot of sun to help reflect the heat.
- avoid dark reflective curtain linings and metal venetian blinds as they absorb heat and may make rooms hotter.
- shade your windows in the heat of the day especially windows that face west.
- consider external awnings or blinds, shutters, shade cloth or other material to prevent sun shining on the window.
- insulate your house to help it keep cool in summer and warm in winter important to prepare well ahead of a heatwave.
This is especially important if you are more at risk or sensitive to the effects of heat, or if you are caring for someone who is more at risk.
Have a heatwave preparation checklist.
While protecting your home and business from disaster is important, protecting human lives is absolutely crucial. Taking even a few minutes to look for medications or documents can cost a life. Check bag every six months to rotate food and water supplies, refresh medications, update documents, and, especially for children, make sure clothing still fits.
Choose a Bag
An emergency “evac-bag” should be lightweight enough for an adult or child to easily carry it, but large enough to hold essential items needed for up to three days. A backpack is a good choice because it leaves your hands free to hold onto other items, but a small suitcase with wheels or rolling backpack can also work. Remember, you may be running with your bag.
TIP: Place the bag near an exit with your purse, wallet, phone, and keys.
Medications and Personal Items
Pack at least three days of each type of medication you take in the original prescription bottles, a small first aid kit, and sanitary hand wipes. If you use supplemental oxygen, invest in a portable tank to have on hand. Pack an extra pair of glasses or plenty of contact lenses, a comfort item for each child, and something small to entertain you, such a pack of cards.
Electronics
While you may not land in a spot with electricity, be sure to pack at least one phone charger and any extra battery packs. Include an LED flashlight or headlamp, and purchase a radio that can be charged by hand-cranking. A metal whistle may also prove invaluable for location if your cell phone dies. For god’s sake don’t forget your phone charger.
Clothing
Each person should have enough clothing for three days. Choose clothing that is lightweight and can be worn in layers. For small children, pack extra diapers and warm clothes. Select shoes that are waterproof, if possible.
Food and Water
You won’t be able to carry a lot of supplies, but be sure every bag has a bottle or two of water. Water filtration straws in each bag will ensure potable water. Add a small amount of lightweight food, such as granola bars or dried fruit. Carry a multi-functional tool with a can opener and small knife. For babies, include premixed formula, baby food, and extra bottles.
Paperwork
Place documents—whether the originals or photocopies—in a sealed, waterproof bag in the go bag. Even if you have scanned the documents onto a flash drive, paper copies should be in the bag because there may not be electricity available to use an electronic device. Have these documents available for every member of the household:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Pension or concession / Medicare card
- List of emergency contact information
- Current family photograph with contact information (in case members get separated)
- Health insurance cards
- Medical and immunisation records
- Driver’s license
- Marriage, adoption, citizenship certificates
- Home deed
- Insurance policies on home and car
- Credit card and banking information
- Power of attorney and will
- Pet records
Valuables
Keep some cash in small bills and change in your go bag. Long before the need arises, go around your home and take digital photos of valuable items like art and antiques and create an electronic record that can be stored in the cloud or on a flash drive in a waterproof container in your go bag.
Pets
Don’t forget about Fido and Mittens — pack a go bag for each of your pets. The bag should contain a leash, dry food, water.
