October, before 1 November

Before the season

The calm weeks before the season are the best time to fix, plan and write things down.

House, sheds and yards

Check roofing iron, nails, straps and tie-downs on the house, sheds and poultry houses; fix loose sheets now.
Trim branches over buildings, yards and power lines (ask the power company about lines, never cut near them yourself).
Clear drains, ditches and culverts so heavy rain can get away.
Find out where your nearest evacuation centre is: ask your turaga ni koro, advisory councillor or district office.

Stock

Choose higher ground away from rivers and creeks for cattle, goats and other stock, and check the fences and gates there.
Write down how many animals you have of each kind, with tag numbers or marks, and keep it with your papers.
Put aside some feed and a way to give stock clean water if the river or tank is spoiled.

Crops and cane

Keep some planting material (dalo suckers, tavioka stems, kumala vines) in a safe place so you can replant quickly afterwards.
Cane growers: keep your grower number and sector office contact with your papers.
Take dated photos of your farm, crops, sheds and machinery now; they help with damage assessments later.

Water, power and kit

Clean gutters and water tanks, and keep clean containers ready for drinking water.
Pack a kit: torch, battery radio, spare batteries, first aid kit, phone power bank, matches, basic tools.
Store fuel, farm chemicals and fertiliser safely, high and dry, away from the house and water.

Papers and money

Put land lease, cane contract, bank, insurance and ID papers (or copies) in a waterproof bag that is easy to grab.
Ask your insurer or lender what they need from you after a cyclone, before the season starts.

Expected within 24 hours

Gale, storm or hurricane warning

A warning means damaging winds are expected within a day. Finish up, stay safe, and leave if you are told to.

Stay safe

Finish outside jobs in daylight, before the wind arrives. People come before stock and crops.
Go to an evacuation centre if officials tell you to, or if your house is low-lying or not strong.
Do not leave animals tied up or shut in low sheds where floodwater can reach them.
Switch off gas and power at the main if you are told to or if water is coming in.
Stay inside in the strongest room until officials say the cyclone has passed; a calm "eye" does not mean it is over.
Never cross flooded rivers, creeks or crossings, on foot or in a vehicle.

Once officials give the all-clear

Recovery starts with safety. Check people first, then stock, then the farm, and get help early.

Safety first

Wait for the all-clear before going out; keep well away from fallen power lines and report them.
Boil or treat water before drinking until you know your supply is safe.
Wash and cook produce that floodwater has touched; throw away food that has been under dirty water.

Stock and farm

Check stock for injuries and give them clean water and feed; count them against your list.
Take photos of all damage before you clean up.
Report farm damage to your local Ministry of Agriculture office or the helpline 1523.
Cane growers: tell your sector office or FSC about damaged cane.
Replant from your saved planting material once the ground is safe to work.
Talk to your lender or insurer early if you will need help or more time.

Who to call for cane, loans, weather and farm advice: see the Fiji farm help directory.