Do you know the difference between a Category 1 cyclone and a Category 3? And what would you do if a severe storm approaching your home was suddenly upgraded to cyclone with winds of more than 200 km/h?
The Bureau of Meteorology has urged Queenslanders to remain vigilant during the upcoming cyclone season, despite the El Nino weather phenomenon which is likely to produce less cyclones.
"We don't remember cyclone seasons by the number of cyclones. We remember cyclone seasons by the impact on towns," BoM deputy director Rob Webb said.
"Last year was a fairly typical season, but I'm sure the people of Yeppoon and Rockhampton wouldn't remember last year as a typical season with Cyclone Marcia crossing the coast."
Three to four major cyclones usually cross the Queensland coast each storm season.
BoM has released a new video it hopes will be widely shared across social media which explains how cyclones work and how severe the gusts of each category are.
During weather events the organisation's website receives high traffic and its alerts are widely reported in media, however BoM's failed to have a regularly updated social media presence until this year.
Mr Webb said the Bureau had ramped up its coverage, including a state-based Twitter accounts. The Queensland account now boasts more than 40,000 followers.
"When we launch into something like Twitter we need to ensure we can sustain it if people are relying on it," Mr Webb said.
Mr Webb said the bureau was looking forward to switching on a new US "super computer" in the next 12 months, which will provide more detailed weather predictions when combined with images from a Japanese satellite named Himawari-8.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Chief Superintendent Steve Smith encouraged people to keep an emergency kit with enough food and water for three days, along with battery operated radio and torch.
Meanwhile BoM's seasonal outlook for December to February, released on Thursday, predicted above-average rainfall for Southeast Queensland.
Median temperatures in the region were expected to be between 27 and 30 degrees during the period.
Tropical cyclone category system
CATEGORY 1 (tropical cyclone)
Negligible house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Craft may drag moorings. Gales with typical gusts over open flat land of 90-125 km/h.
CATEGORY 2 (tropical cyclone)
Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small craft may break moorings. Strongest winds are destructive with typical gusts over open flat land of 125-164 km/h.
CATEGORY 3 (severe tropical cyclone)
Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failures likely. A Category 3 cyclone's strongest winds are very destructive with typical gusts over open flat land of 165-224 km/h.
CATEGORY 4 (severe tropical cyclone)
Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures. A Category 4 cyclone's strongest winds are very destructive with typical gusts over open flat land of 225-279 km/h.
CATEGORY 5 (severe tropical cyclone)
Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction. A Category 5 cyclone's strongest winds are very destructive winds with typical gusts over open flat land of more than 280 km/h.
