Preparing for cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters

If you live in an area that tends to flood, but your house is relatively safe from flooding, these are some pointers to help you get through these natural disasters and stay in your home.

An emergency kit:
A torch for each member of the family
A gas cooker and gas bottles
A battery operated radio
Enough batteries to do everything, with spares in case they go flat

Food/water:
Tins of baked beans and spaghetti
Bottles/containers of spring water
Tins of vegetables and fruit, but only small tins to avoid wasting any as they won't be able to be refrigerated if power fails
UHT milk again the small ones rather than 1L cartons to avoid waste
Packets of "just add water" rice and pasta meals
Tins of "Heat and Eat" meals
Make sure if you have babies you stock up on food for them as well.  Fresh is always best, but jars come in handy too.
If not breastfeeding, buy as many tins of formula as you think you'll need.  If it floods in your area, you may be isolated for up to a month with no power.  It's probably also an idea to buy those bags you put the milk into that are disposable as you may not be able to sterilise bottles and teats.

While I don't like much packaged foods, it's good to have a supply of these in the case of emergencies:
Muesli bars
Rice crackers
Biscuits
Cracker and dip packs like Le Snack and so on
I would go shopping at health food shops as much as possible for these.  They may not be entirely healthy but not as bad as the high-sugar cheapo ones.

Don't forget the animals! Make sure you stock up on pet food, provided it's not the type you have to keep in the fridge.
Fish are easy, but make sure you move the tank to the floor if it's sitting on furniture that can fall down.  If it's on a bench, push it as far to the back as possible, in a corner if you can.

Entertainment:
I would make sure you have card games, board games, or be willing to get down and play with your child/ren during this time.  There will be no internet, no tv, limited radio (you'll need to preserve the batteries).  Basically you will not be able to do activities that take power.

Other:
Tape windows and glass doors with masking tape.
Make sure you keep your car filled up in case you are given instructions to evacuate.  Keep a suitcase packed in the car, including toiletries, for the same reason.
At home, get garbage bags and fill them with clothes.  Even though you may be sure your house won't flood, there is never any guarantee that your clothes won't get wet! If you lose a roof, rain will get in.  I generally buy us a new 10 pack of knickers each and some singlets, leave them in their packet and put them inside the plastic bag.  You won't be able to wash your clothes, but at least you'll have a few sets of underwear that's clean.
If possible, drag a mattress into the hallway if you are on a cyclone alert and shut all the doors.
Ensure you have no loose items.  These can become projectiles in a cyclone should you lose your roof.
I have bought lots of plastic, sealable, air-tight boxes.  All my study books and reference books are in this.  All my certificate originals are in one as well.  As are photos, negatives, photo albums, scrapbooks, and anything else that my become weather damaged and are irreplaceable.
Keep your mobile phone charged, and ensure you have a wall-mounted phone rather than just cordless.  We have both.  Cordless phones are not able to be used if the power goes off.
Have a First Aid Kit up to date with everything you might need.  If you have any medical conditions, ensure you have stocked up on your medications.
I like to put child locks on the fridge, freezer, and all cupboards to avoid them flying open as easily and the contents becoming projectiles.
Another thing I like to do is sleep us all in the same room when we are on cyclone alert.  That way you can be sure if it his through the night you don't have to go searching for frightened children who may be hiding in small places making it dangerous to them.

Do not go outside unless it's deemed safe, and a radio announcement has come across to tell you that it's safe.  Even after this, you may be without power for a long time.  If you have a generator, you may find yourself very popular in the neighbourhood.

I hope this helps people be prepared for any flooding or cyclones in the area.  Keep safe.