The Diary
Harden Up
Wise Words
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Our
country experiences most of nature's extreme weather so it's good
to be prepared for things that happen. To do that we need
information!
Our Wild Weather
Cyclones, floods, bushfires, earthquakes, serious storms and
tsunamis are part of nature. They are unpredictable and can be very
dangerous. Climate change might be causing extreme weather to occur
more often but we are still learning about this. The best thing we
can do is to learn about the disasters and know what to do.
What's the difference? Weather VS climate
Weather is all around us all of the time. It is the day to day
conditions of a place. Rain, temperature, fog, snow, clouds,
sunshine are all elements of the weather. Someone who studies
weather and makes forecasts is called a meteorologist.
The climate is
the average weather conditions measured over time. Australia has a
hotter climate than Alaska. Climatologists are people who study
climate patterns and climate change over time.
Experts at the Bureau of Meterorology are always studying the
weather to make long range forecasts of what might happen -
remember they are always a prediction based on science. We still
can't be 100% sure about the weather.
Recent Disasters
2011
QLD/NSW/VIC flood (covered more land than Germany and France
combined); Japan earthquake and tsunami
2009
'Black Saturday' bushfire in Victoria
2006
Cyclone Larry, QLD
2002-06
Drought in Southern Australia
www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/naturaldisasters/
Watch Out! Do you know the difference?
A hazard is a threat that might become a bigger emergency like a
bush fire or a severe storm.
An emergency harms people, property and the environment.
When things are dangerous, keep your eyes peeled and stick close
to an adult.
Help prepare your family's extreme weather kit. You will need
supplies and equipment for a few days. a radio, torch, food and
water are essential. What else?
The ash from bush fires helps to rejuvenate the soil making it
rich in nutrients for plants to grow again.
Chloe is on a mission - she wants to help others learn about
what they can do to help. Chloe has designed presentations, posters
and newsletters to explain everything from local endangered species
to extreme weather and how to be prepared. Being informed is really
important, like Tilly, in Phuket who knew what it meant when she
saw "the water bubbling right on the edge of the beach and foam
sizzling like a frying pan". She warned her family and beachgoers
and Maikhao beach was evacuated seconds before the tsunami arrived.
Chloe and Tilly are helping to keep people safe!
Make a video for kids explaining how to get ready for extreme
weather. Act it out!
Make your own lightning, the Diary website shows you how!
Who Helps?
The SES (State Emergency Service) are trained volunteers who
assist the police, ambulance, fire fighters and army during a
disaster. It's a wonderful way to help. You might like to consider
joining when you have finished school. read their stories: www.extremeweatherheroes.org
Adult Alert - What they are doing to help
When disasters occur EVERYONE pitches in - volunteers,
firefighters, neighbours, leaders, builders, teachers.
We plan for events so we know what to do if they happen. Plans are
created to deal with prevention (stopping disasters), preparation
(getting ready), response (during the disaster) and recovery (after
the disaster).
Prevention
✷ Clearing leaf litter from drains
✷ Laws for total fire ban days
✷ Building flood levees
✷ Warning systems
Preparation
✷ Telling people and evacuation
✷ Protecting property and animals
✷ Arranging supplies
Response
✷ Arranging accommodation for people
✷ Arranging relief funds
Recovery
✷ Clean up
✷ Rebuilding
✷ Support for people affected
✷ Arranging accommodation for people
✷ Arranging relief funds
Many hands make light work
The best things in life really are free like being kind and
helpful to others by volunteering your skills. Volunteers worldwide
give millions of hours and their actions change the world. Some
people rescue injured animals, others run tuck shops or care for
the elderly. Kids can get involved too by helping whenever you
can.
Stuff to Check Out
Do you have a plan for your pet?
Take responsibility for them and create a pet pack
just in case.
Does your school and family have a plan?
Visit www.hardenup.org and make one today!
Be Prepared
Talk with your family about what you would do in a disaster.
- Know where to take shelter in a storm, the strongest part of
your house - room with the least windows
- Make up a supply kit (food, first aid and safety
equipment)
- Know who to call for help (SES 132 500, Police 000)
- Pack up your special things to keep safe
Print off this check list and go through it
with your family
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Phenomena: An unusual, significant, or
unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel
Evacuation: Moving people, animals, or materiel
from a place because of danger
Firebreak: a strip of land cleared of plants to
stop a fire from spreading
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