Preparing for a cyclone
What matters most in a cyclone, what official guidance in Australia says, and long-life food that suits it.
In a cyclone, the things that matter most are drinking water, food for everyone, torch, battery or wind-up radio. During a cyclone, shelter in an inside room away from windows, chosen in advance.1
What matters most
- Drinking water Essential
3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount. - Food for everyone Essential
Non-perishable food that will last your household for your chosen number of days. - Torch Essential
A torch for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark. - Battery or wind-up radio
To hear updates if mobile networks are down. - First aid kit Essential
A stocked first aid kit that everyone knows where to find. - Essential medication Essential
A supply of any medication your household relies on. - Important documents
Know where your important documents are kept. SupKit never asks you to upload them. - Meeting point
Somewhere your household agrees to meet if you're separated.
What official guidance in Australia says
- During a cyclone, shelter in an inside room away from windows, chosen in advance.1
- Queensland advises your cyclone kit holds at least seven days of medical supplies.1
- For cyclone or storm help that isn't life-threatening, call the Queensland SES on 132 500; for emergencies, 000.1
- Before a cyclone, fill your bath or buckets so you can still flush toilets if supply is cut.1
Water and food for a few days
For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:
| 3 days | |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L |
| Food energy | 56,484 kJ (13,500 Cal) |
Long-life food that suits a cyclone
Each of these keeps without a fridge and doesn't need the fridge once opened:
- Tinned chilli
- Tinned soup
- Baked beans
- Microwave rice pouch
- Tinned tuna
- Crackers
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Cereal bars
- Tinned fruit
Allergies, dietary needs and children
Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- Labels must declare wheat, fish, crustacean, mollusc, egg, milk, lupin, peanut, soy, sesame, named tree nuts, gluten cereals (barley, oats, rye) and added sulphites.2
- Allergens must be in bold in the ingredient list, plus a separate bold summary starting with 'Contains' near the ingredients.2
- 'May contain' statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Food Standards Code.2
Young children
Questions
What do I need for a cyclone?
Drinking water, Food for everyone, Torch, Battery or wind-up radio, First aid kit, Essential medication, Important documents, Meeting point.
Sources
- Tropical Cyclone - FAQs, Queensland Government (Get Ready Queensland). Checked 27 October 2026.
- Allergen labelling for consumers, Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Nuts and seeds, Better Health Channel, Department of Health, State Government of Victoria. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Introducing solid food, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Healthdirect Australia, funded by the Australian Government). Checked 28 October 2026.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
