- How to cope with the stress and anxiety of the cyclone
- What to do if you're in a family violence situation
- How to look after your health and prescriptions
- How to reassure kids — and keep them entertained
- How to prepare for making an insurance claim after the cyclone
- What to do if you get caught in a power outage
- How to prepare for a water outage
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- These can calm extreme physical reactions to stress, such as a racing heart or hot and cold sweats. "It slows down our bodies and our minds, it helps to regulate some of the things that are going on in our bodies, both physiologically and psychologically," Ms Harman says.
- Talking to friends, family and neighbours will help with psychological safety. You can also call mental health support lines if you need to talk to someone.
- Planning ahead, both physically and mentally, can actually help you feel more prepared and in control in what can be an uncontrollable situation.
- If you're struggling, you can call one of the support helplines below. And don't feel guilty or like you shouldn't be calling — these stressful situations are exactly what they're there for. "The earlier you seek support, the sooner we can work with you on some strategies to help you through a difficult time," Ms Harman says.
- Beyond Blue has published a guide on how to look after your mental health after a natural disaster.
- Mental health specialists gave ABC News their tips on how to psychologically prepare for bushfires, floods and cyclones.
- To talk to someone about your specific situation, try contacting the services listed in the box above.
- You can read more about how to help people experiencing domestic violence during a disaster in this guide from ABC Emergency.
- 1800RESPECT — the the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service — has also published resource on violence in times of disaster.
- For more help specific to your situation, try contacting the services listed in the box above.
- Read this guide from ABC Emergency on what you need in your emergency kit for cyclones and severe weather.
- Queensland's Metro South Health has published advice on how you can look after your health, during and after a natural disaster.
- The Australian government has also published a guide on how to care for your health during Cyclone Alfred.
- Visit the Queensland government's website "Birdie and the cyclone" for storybooks, videos and resources to help young children cope with cyclones.
- Read this comprehensive guide from ABC Emergency on how to help your kids through an emergency.
- ABC Lifestyle has explained how to help children and teens process stressful news coverage (written in 2022, but with advice that's still relevant today).
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- Read your policy documents carefully and understand how your policy differs between certain types of cyclone damage. Are you covered for flood damage, storm damage, or both? Make sure you know exactly what you're covered for.
- Take photos and videos of everything you did to protect your property in the lead-up to the cyclone, in case you need to prove you took steps to keep the house safe. Also record the condition your house was in before the cyclone hit.
- Make a detailed list of all your possessions, especially your expensive ones. Include clear photos and/or videos of these items, as well as any accompanying receipts and serial numbers.
- : Get a physical copy of your insurance policy (in case you lose internet access) and make a written record of your insurer's emergency claim contact details.
- This ABC News explainer breaks down how to prepare for a cyclone insurance claim in more detail, including tips for renters.
- The Insurance Council of Australia has published advice for policyholders on its website.
- Legal Aid Queensland has also published advice on how to make insurance claims after disasters.
- If you still have power, make sure your devices are as fully charged as possible. Charge laptops, power banks and other devices that could be used to charge your phone when there's no main power source.
- Write down important numbers and information you might need if your phone dies — including the phone numbers of family, neighbours and friends, your energy company and account details and medication details.
- Gather any torches or other alternative lighting sources in one place. Make sure the batteries in them are working. If you have spare batteries around the house, gather them in the same place.
- The power going out might affect your water supply. See below for more information on things to consider in preparation for losing your water supply.
- If the power is out, minimise how often you're opening and closing the fridge or freezer to keep the cool in for as long as possible. Move items out of the fridge and store them in the freezer, if you have room.
- Read this ABC News guide to what to do during a power outage, including expert advice and tips for people with solar panels.
- See Energy NSW's website for specific advice on how to prepare for a power outage and what to do during a power outage.
- For more general advice, check out this guide from ABC News on how to prepare your home for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which covers everything from sandbagging to securing your furniture.
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