Cyclone season in Queensland runs from 1 November to 30 April. The weeks before and early in the season are the best time to get a house ready. Most of the work is ordinary maintenance that a careful owner can plan over a few weekends. Some of it needs a licensed tradesperson, and none of it should be left until a warning is issued.
This guide covers the roof, gutters, doors, windows, trees and yard. It also looks at what to do once a cyclone is on the way. The advice draws on Queensland Government guidance for households. Local councils and emergency services may add their own advice for your area.
Who needs to prepare
The Get Ready Queensland page on cyclones and storm surge says communities within 50 km of the coastline from Bundaberg to Thursday Island are the most exposed. That includes the Gulf of Carpentaria. Wind, heavy rain and flooding from weakening cyclones and tropical lows can still reach any part of Queensland. So owners well inland in the north should not assume they are safe.
The same guidance notes that homes within 50 km of the coast north from Bundaberg need to be strong enough to withstand cyclonic winds. Homes within 100 to 200 metres of an open shoreline face another risk. Breaking waves driven by a storm tide can reach them. A storm tide is a storm surge combined with the normal tide, and the worst impacts come when a surge arrives on a high tide.
If you live near the coast, you can request a Coastal Hazard Property Map showing estimated storm tide levels for your property. A coastal engineer can confirm whether waves are likely to affect the site during a storm tide. This is worth knowing before you renovate or extend near the water. It can also guide where you store valuables and vehicles.
How strong cyclone winds get
Cyclones are rated in five categories by their strongest gusts. A Category 1 system brings gales under 125 km/h and usually causes minimal house damage. Category 3 brings gusts of 165 to 224 km/h, with some roof and structural damage and likely power failure. Category 5 brings gusts above 280 km/h and is described as extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.
The roof takes much of the punishment in strong wind. Loose fixings, cracked tiles and damaged flashing give the wind a place to start lifting. That is why so much preparation focuses on the top of the house. A small repair now is far easier than a lost roof sheet in the middle of a storm.
Roof, gutters and fittings
The Queensland Government advice on how to protect your home starts with year round maintenance. It suggests repairing any loose or cracked tiles and any flashing damage. It also suggests fixing loose or broken fittings, corrosion and termite damage. Each of these can weaken the parts of the house that hold it together in high wind.
Clear gutters and downpipes before the wet season starts. Blocked gutters let water pool in the eaves or roof cavity, where it can damage ceilings and wiring. Leaves and debris can also wash into drains and cause overflow around the house. If the roof is high or steep, a qualified roofer or plumber is the safer choice for this job.
If you are unsure how well your roof is tied down, ask a licensed builder or structural engineer to inspect it. The Queensland Government describes resilient design as using materials and construction methods that can better withstand severe weather. Upgrades like this can be part of a full renovation or a smaller job done on its own.
Doors, windows and seals
Check every external door and window for broken seals. Rain pushed by strong wind finds its way through small gaps and can soak floors and walls. If you have cyclone screens, check that they fit and that you know how to fasten them. Screens and shutters are much easier to sort out in calm weather than with a warning already issued.
When a cyclone approaches, the official advice is to fasten cyclone screens and board up exposed windows and doors. In storm surge areas, close windows, shutters and curtains. Tape plastic sheeting inside if needed to keep out rain driven by the wind. Having timber, fixings and tools ready ahead of time saves a last minute rush. Store them somewhere you can reach easily.
Trees and the yard
Trim branches that hang over the roof, the driveway or the fence line. A heavy limb can damage roof sheets, gutters or a car parked below. If branches are close to powerlines, contact your electricity distributor rather than cutting them yourself. The Queensland Government guidance names Energex and Ergon as examples of who to contact.
Planting choices matter as well. Good advice on planning your landscape considers where trees will sit at full size, not just how they look today. Keeping large trees well clear of the house lowers the risk to the roof over the years.
Loose items are the other big risk in the yard. The official advice is to secure loose items around your property and tie down or store anything the wind could pick up. That includes boats, trailers and shade sails. Garden furniture, pot plants, bins and play equipment can also be thrown about in cyclonic winds.
A yard with fewer loose pieces is easier to clear in a hurry. Fixed seating and built in planters can replace a scatter of pots and light chairs. Ideas for landscaping that requires minimal maintenance often suit this approach too. It also helps to think about storm season early, while working through the steps of landscape design.
Inside the house and around services
Know how to turn off your electricity, including solar, along with gas and water. Emergency services may ask you to do this. Unplug electrical items, aerials and computer equipment to avoid damage from power surges. Fill containers with drinking water in case services go down.
Keep hessian bags and sand on hand to block internal drains. This helps stop sewage backing up into the house during heavy rain. Both are cheap to buy and easy to store in a garage or shed.
Pick your shelter room before the season starts. It is usually the smallest room in the house with no windows, such as a bathroom. If your shelter room has windows, plan to have a mattress or heavy blanket for protection. Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
Cars, boats and insurance
If you can, park your car in a sheltered spot on high ground. Keep it away from trees, powerlines and waterways. Fill the tank before you park it. Boats and trailers should be tied down or stored as early as you can manage.
Check that your insurance policy has enough cover for both your home and contents. Read what it says about storm, flood and storm tide damage. If anything is unclear, ask your insurer to explain it in writing. Recent photos of the house and its contents can also help if you ever need to make a claim.
During a cyclone
As a cyclone arrives, the official guidance says it can sound like a roaring train or jet engine. Extreme wind and rain can last up to 12 hours. Stay inside, away from windows and glass doors, preferably in your shelter room. Keep listening to official warnings and be ready to shelter for many hours.
The eye of a cyclone can be 10 km to 100 km wide. When it passes over, the weather may go calm for a while. Do not assume the cyclone is over. The second half often brings stronger winds that return quickly with little warning.
After the storm
Wait for official advice before going outside. Look over the roof, gutters, fences and trees from the ground first. Leave anything structural or electrical to licensed trades. If the garden needs rebuilding, the advice on getting your first landscaping project right is a useful starting point.
Frequently asked questions
When is cyclone season in Queensland?
It runs from 1 November to 30 April. Cyclones can also form outside those months. That is why the Queensland Government suggests being prepared all year.
What maintenance should come first?
For most homes, the roof and gutters come first. Repair loose or cracked tiles and flashing, then clear gutters and downpipes. Fix loose fittings, corrosion and termite damage at the same time.
What is a shelter room?
It is the room you stay in while a cyclone passes. It is usually the smallest room with no windows, such as a bathroom. If it has windows, keep a mattress or heavy blanket ready for protection.
Who should I call about branches near powerlines?
Contact your electricity distributor, such as Energex or Ergon. Do not try to cut branches near powerlines yourself. Other overhanging branches can be trimmed by a qualified arborist.
