Tropical cyclones cause millions of dollars in damages every year in Australia. Characterised by violent winds, heavy rain and a spiraling shape cyclones can last between 2 to 6 days and are caused by a low pressure area in the atmosphere.

Australian Cyclone season starts on November first and ends on the 30th of April, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia experiences around 11 tropical cyclones each cyclone season with an average of 4 tropical cyclones crossing the coast, though the impacts of the cyclone can still be felt on the coastal regions, even when a cyclone remains well off shore. This year meteorologists are expecting an average or near average amount of cyclones.

On February 3 2011 Cyclone Yasi struck Northern QLD, causing server damage to affected areas with the worst affect areas being around Tully, Tully Heads, Silkwood, Mission Beach Innisfail and Cardwell.

It is estimated the Yasi caused $3.5 billion damage with $2 billion damage done to the agricultural industry and another $1 billion lost in the tourism industry, and left an estimated 170 000 homes and businesses without power, some of those people being left without power for up to a month. Click here to learn how Baintech’s Black Out Buster can ensure you’re not caught out during a cyclone.