The Pilbara cyclone season officially runs from November to April. Most years bring at least one system close enough to disrupt work in Karratha, Port Hedland or the towns in between, and the clean-up afterwards can take longer than the storm itself. A little preparation in October and November makes both the event and the recovery safer, faster and cheaper.
This checklist is written for facility managers, property managers and business owners responsible for offices, workshops, accommodation, community buildings and industrial sites. Always follow official warnings and advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), and your own site emergency procedures.
Before the season: October and November
- Clear gutters, downpipes and drains. Blocked drainage is one of the most common causes of water damage during heavy rain. Clear roof gutters, box gutters, grates and stormwater pits, and check that water can run away from buildings.
- Prune trees and clear the grounds. Remove dead branches, overhanging limbs and green waste that could become airborne or block drains.
- Walk the site for loose items. Make a list of everything outside that could move in strong wind: bins, outdoor furniture, signage, pallets, scrap, stored materials, shade structures and portable equipment. Decide where each will go when a warning is issued.
- Check the building envelope. Look for loose roof sheeting, damaged flashings, failed window seals, broken louvres and doors that do not close properly. Arrange repairs before the season starts, when trades are easier to book.
- Service critical equipment. Generators, sump pumps, emergency lighting and air-conditioning should be serviced and tested before you need them.
- Update your contact list and plan. Make sure staff, tenants and contractors know who decides when to secure the site, who does what, and how you will communicate if phones and power are down.
- Photograph the site. Dated photos of buildings, grounds and equipment in good condition make insurance claims much simpler after an event.
When a cyclone watch or warning is issued
- Move or tie down every loose item on your list.
- Empty and secure bins, and remove rubbish and green waste from the site where possible.
- Check drains and grates again and clear any new debris.
- Protect electrical equipment, records and stock from water, and raise items off the floor in areas that have flooded before.
- Follow DFES alert levels and your site procedures, and stop non-essential work in good time so people can get home safely.
After the event: safe clean-up
Do not enter or start cleaning until authorities and your site have confirmed it is safe. Fallen power lines, damaged structures, floodwater and debris all create serious hazards.
- Assess and record. Photograph damage before anything is moved or cleaned, for insurance.
- Make safe first. Isolate damaged electrical circuits and arrange a licensed electrician before power is restored to affected areas.
- Remove water and mud quickly. Standing water, wet carpet and mud lead to mould within days in Pilbara heat and humidity. Extract water, remove saturated materials that cannot be dried, and dry the building out.
- Clean and sanitise. Floodwater can carry sewage and chemicals. Hard surfaces, kitchens and amenities need cleaning and sanitising before they are used again.
- Clear the grounds. Remove fallen branches, debris and green waste, and pressure clean mud and staining from paths, car parks and building exteriors.
- Check again a week later. Look for hidden moisture, musty smells, staining and mould, especially behind furniture, in cupboards and under floor coverings.
Build it into your facilities plan
The simplest way to make sure cyclone preparation happens every year is to put it in the planned maintenance calendar: a gutter and drain clean, tree pruning and a building check in October, and an agreed list of who secures what when a warning is issued. If one contractor already looks after your cleaning, grounds and maintenance, they can do the pre-season work and be ready to start the clean-up as soon as the site is safe.
Warlimagu is an Aboriginal-owned Pilbara business providing facilities management, grounds maintenance, pressure cleaning and commercial cleaning across Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman and the wider Pilbara. Talk to us about pre-season preparation for your site.
