TIO ready to respond to Cyclone Alessia

With Cyclone Alessia approaching the Top End, TIO has activated plans to ensure it ready to respond to potential customer claims.

Insurance General Manger Michael Hoare said staff would be ready and available should the cyclone or associated flooding cause any damage.

“It is too late to update insurance for this event but there is still much Territorians can do to ensure they are ready,” Michael said.

“People’s homes should now be prepared and they should be familiar with their family emergency plan.

“We hope this cyclone causes no damage, but we are ready to respond if it does.”

In addition to having an emergency plan, Top Enders should:

·      Know where to go and what to do in the case of storm surge or flooding

·      Have their emergency kit prepared with portable radio, fresh batteries, non-perishable food, water and enclosed footwear. Don’t forget special medical or baby needs.

·      Have loose items secured and a safe place to protect personal belongings, photographs and documents.

·      Care for friends and neighbours.

For more information visit www.tiofi.com.au or call 1300 301 833.

Media enquiries – Tracy Jones on 0407 727 813

Darwin company recognised in global Social Responsibility Awards

Leading international media and public relations publication PR Daily has recognised Darwin’s Creative Territory in its Corporate Social Responsibility Awards.

Creative Territory has been selected as a finalist for the Grand Prize Campaign of the Year as well as the CSR on a Shoestring category.

The US-based awards recognise the use of public relations for the good of the community and attract entries from around the world.

Creative Territory has been recognised for research it conducted during and after Cyclone Carlos in February 2011. The research has led to improvements in how several organisations provide information in emergencies.

Managing director Tracy Jones said it was an honor to be selected among the world’s top public relations campaigns for CSR.

Entries come from a wide range of industries and organisations, from multi-national corporations, local governmental agencies and communication companies in industries as broad as energy, finance, entertainment, insurance, mining and healthcare.

PR Daily is a web-based publication read by more than 800,000 communication professionals in every country in the world.

 

Read more about the awards at PR Daily's website.

Six top online and social sources for Top End cyclone information

By Tracy Jones

With the cyclone season now upon us, all of us in the Top End need to be prepared. With your cyclone kit packed, your insurance updated and your family emergency plan updated, you need to think about how you will access the information you need to get through.

Our research at Creative Territory has shown us that up to 90 per cent of Top Enders are now using the web and social media to find out what is going on. The problem is, the social media space is now so overcrowded with “experts” it is hard to know who to trust.

Here’s our advice on where to go, depending on the type of information you are looking for:

1.       For official weather information go to www.bom.gov.au The Bureau of Meteorology issues all official cyclone watches and warnings. It is also the place to watch the latest radar information. You can also see radar images by downloading the Rain? app on your mobile phone or tablet device.

2.       For official updates on government information and services, go to www.secureNT.nt.gov.au This site aggregates information from all NT Government agencies in one place. It also includes useful tips to help you get ready for the season. You can also like secureNT on Facebook (www.facebook.com/secureNT) or follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/@secureterritory). This is a trusted source for official information.

3.       If you are looking for more colour and interest but still want to have a reasonable level of trust in the information, use local traditional media outlets. ABC regularly updates its website with the latest information. ABC Darwin, The NT News and Nine News Darwin have very active social media channels through both Facebook and Twitter.

4.       A number of websites provide great professional and para-professional commentary on weather conditions as they change. Try www.northauschasers.com , the Weather Channel or Weather Zone.

5.       In Twitter, do a search for hashtags that will help you sift through information. For example, in the Top End, search for #topend which is used by many locals to help index their Tweets. Once a cyclone is declared, many Tweets will use the appropriate hashtag – for example, during Cyclone Carlos in Darwin many people used #Carlos or #TCCarlos  Just be aware that not all this information can be trusted – not because people are trying to fool you, but because not everyone has accurate information.

6.       Watch out for what your friends are saying and see what people you follow are saying. They’ll provide you with a very local weather forecast right from their own home.