1. Power Risks: Surges and Outages
Cyclones often cause widespread and prolonged power failures. Even if the power doesn’t go out, the grid can experience severe voltage spikes and fluctuations
- The Hazard: Power surges from lightning or grid damage can instantly destroy a computer’s power supply or motherboard.
- The Mitigation:
- Unplug everything: A surge protector is not a foolproof defence against a direct strike or extreme voltage spikes; the only certain protection is physically disconnecting all cables, including network cables.
- Use a UPS: An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) provides battery backup for safe shutdowns, preventing data corruption when the lights go out.
2. Moisture and Flooding
Cairns is prone to flash flooding and storm surges during cyclones.
- The Hazard: Water damage can ruin internal components, and the high humidity (over 60%) common during these storms can lead to corrosion or mold.
- The Mitigation:
- Elevate your gear: Get computers off the floor—hot lava style—ideally at least 12 inches high on a sturdy desk in a central, windowless room.
- Seal it up: Wrap equipment in waterproof materials or airtight containers with silica gel packets to control humidity.
- Wait to reboot: After a storm, wait 24–48 hours for the environment to dry and power systems to stabilize before turning your computer back on.
3. Data and Connectivity
Infrastructure damage often disrupts the NBN and mobile networks.
- The Hazard: You may lose access to cloud storage or be unable to work for days or even weeks if the network or your hardware is damaged.