It’s an ominous feeling – the wind is picking up, dark clouds are brewing on the horizon, and the weather radar shows great cells of yellow and red headed your way. A storm is coming, and it’s a big one.
Australia’s weather can turn fast. From sudden hailstorms to flash flooding and destructive winds, extreme weather causes significant damage every year1 – not only to our homes, but also to other valuable assets such as cars, caravans and boats.
Geoff Evans, a former firefighter and Co-founder of Disaster Relief Australia, has seen such damage countless times over his 20-plus years of attending recovery missions in some of the country’s most severely impacted communities.
“Floodwater can easily write off a car; hail can do serious damage to vehicle glass and panels; and in high winds, trees and large tree limbs can fall on exposed vehicles,” says Geoff.
“Moored boats can be lashed by waves and storm surges and can sink if not prepared correctly, and I’ve seen whole caravans blown away in cyclone-force winds.”
The good news? Just as having a severe weather emergency plan can mitigate risk for your home, taking care of your car, boat or caravan comes down to some relatively simple preparation steps.
“Even if you don’t have a garage or covered storage, there are practical things you can do to help minimise potential damage to your car, boat or caravan,” says Geoff.
In this guide, we’ll break down some common vulnerabilities for cars, boats and caravans and share expert-backed advice on how to help your vehicles weather the storm.
Remember – things are replaceable, but people are not
Key advice from Geoff is that it’s always best to prepare in advance. If severe weather is already upon you, it may be too late to act – especially if you’ve received evacuation alerts.
“Before you go rushing around with tarps and rope for your beloved caravan or boat, remember that your safety – and that of your loved ones – always comes first,” stresses Geoff. “It’s natural to want to protect a high-value asset, but no vehicle or vessel is worth risking your life.
“So, if you have been given an emergency order to evacuate, do not ignore it. Leave immediately.”
How do I prepare my car for severe weather?
When it comes to taking care of your car, Geoff recommends taking the following precautions once a severe weather alert, such as a storm or hail warning, has been issued:
- Park your car under a solid shelter such as a garage or carport if possible. “If your car is in a garage, consider putting a mattress between it and the garage door, in case the garage door blows in during high winds,” he suggests.
- If you don’t have a garage, park away from trees and powerlines.
- Park on higher ground if flooding is possible in your area or if a flood warning has been issued.
- If your car is exposed, firmly secure blankets over metal panels and windows using ratchet straps or bungee cords to minimise hail damage.
If you’re on the road when a storm hits
- Pull over in a safe location, away from trees, road signs or flood-prone dips.
- Tune in to your local ABC radio station or visit your State Emergency Service’s social media page or website to stay updated about road closures and conditions.
- Never, ever attempt to drive through floodwaters, no matter how well you know the road.
“Driving into floodwaters is a major cause of flood-related deaths,” warns Geoff. “A depth of just 15cm is enough to sweep away a small car. Even a large four-wheel drive can be moved by water just 45cm deep.”2
Storm safety for electric vehicle owners
Electric vehicles (EVs) can be especially vulnerable to post-flood fire risk, as water-damaged battery systems may ignite, even after waters recede.3
“If a cyclone is coming or there’s a flood warning, try to evacuate your EV from the affected zone, or park on higher ground before flooding occurs,” advises Geoff.
Damaged EV batteries may ignite hours, days or even weeks after being submerged in water, warns NSW Fire and Rescue, and should be kept at least 15 metres from other vehicles or buildings.3
NSW Fire and Rescue also advise owners not to try to charge or use their electric vehicle if there’s a chance it’s been affected by water damage until it has been inspected and cleared by a qualified technician.3
How do I prepare my boat for severe weather?
Extreme weather can be bad news for boat owners, says Geoff.
“Moorings can fail, causing boats to collide with each other; strong winds can damage sails; and if your boat isn’t watertight in a severe storm, it could even sink,” he notes.
“If your boat is on a trailer on land, you may face many of the same threats as cars, namely falling trees, mechanical failures from flooding, and hail damage.”
If you’re heading out on the water, Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) says your first port of call should always be marine weather forecasts.4 If severe weather threatens, MSQ offers these tips on how to best prepare your vessel.
If you’re out on the water when a warning is issued
According to MSQ, if you’re planning to operate a boat, it’s your responsibility to check marine weather forecasts and contact your local maritime authorities before you set sail to learn about safe anchorages in your area, or any extreme weather contingency plans. But if you do find yourself on the water when a warning is issued, the following steps are recommended:4
- At the first sign of extreme weather, make sure everyone on board is wearing a personal flotation device or life jacket.
- If you can’t reach a designated safe anchorage or your normal mooring or boat ramp, look for shelter in rivers or creeks with a mangrove fringe that helps provide protection against high winds.4
If your boat is on a trailer
Your boat may be out of the water when extreme weather approaches, such as on a trailer. If that’s the case:5
- Park your boat and its trailer in a garage if one is available – if not, move your boat away from trees and powerlines.
- Remove the outboard, safety equipment, radios and any other valuable items that could be damaged or blown away.6
- Turn the boat to face the wind and lash the trailer to any ground anchors or the most secure object available using rope of at least 24 millimetres in diameter, or chains.6
If your boat is moored
If your boat is on the water, consider the following as part of the extreme weather plan unique to your vessel:6
- Double all ties and make them high on pilings to allow for rising waters.
- Use fenders to protect the boat from rubbing against the dock or mooring.
- Put duct tape on the windows and hatches and make sure batteries are topped up to run bilge pumps if necessary.
- Place plugs in engine ports.
- Disconnect any shore power, and close fuel valves and cockpit seacocks.6
How do I prepare my caravan for severe weather?
Caravans face many of the same vulnerabilities as cars but, given their large size and bulky frame, can be even more vulnerable to damage from strong winds, says Geoff.
“If you’re on the road when a warning is issued, never try to outrun a storm. Instead, reroute or wait it out,” he says.
Even with the best prepared caravan, you should still seek shelter elsewhere during high winds, stresses Geoff.
“Awnings can be ripped off, skylights smashed or, even worse, entire caravans can tip over or roll into obstacles, pushed by high winds,” he says.
“Brakes and bearings can also be damaged by floodwater. If you can’t park your caravan in a garage, move it away from the cyclone zone entirely if possible.”
If that’s not achievable, here are some expert tips to help secure your home-on-wheels:
Put all outdoor items inside the van
Caravanning means taking in the great outdoors with camp chairs, outside barbeques, tables and other items. But any of these could turn into projectiles during high winds, warns Geoff. When a severe weather warning is issued, he suggests:
- Taking your awning down as soon as you can and putting any loose items inside the van. Bikes, chairs and household items are all things you don’t want flying around as the wind picks up
- Laying heavier items on their side, fixed together and attached to anchor points where possible.
Park away from trees and tie down your caravan
Caravan parks in windy areas often have anchor points but if there aren’t any, Geoff suggests digging holes under your caravan wheels to increase wind resistance. Additional advice for caravan owners from Emergency Management Australia includes:7
- Positioning the van well away from trees and with the narrow end facing the direction of the impending wind
- Applying the brake and chocking the wheels and securing your caravan to anchor points with strong chains and turnbuckles, or sound rope at least 9.5 millimetres in diameter.7
Place electrical items higher up
Rising waters can cause significant damage to caravans, but you may be able to salvage the things inside with some forethought, says Geoff:
- If you receive storm surge or flood warnings, switch off electricity and any gas supply and unplug all electrical appliances.
- Place electrical items higher within the caravan in case of floodwater.
- Draw curtains, lock doors and, in preparation for high winds, consider boarding or weather taping the windows.
Does insurance cover storm and hail damage to your car, boat or caravan?
While the above preparations may help reduce the likelihood of costly weather-related repairs to your car, boat or caravan, you might be wondering if insurance will cover you for damage, should the unexpected happen.
Whether or not your policy includes flood, storm or hail damage will generally depend on the level of cover you’ve taken out and if your insurer includes hailstorm damage within their specific cover offering.
At Youi, for example, storm, hail and flood cover is included as standard with Comprehensive insurance for your boat, caravan or car. However, there are some things you may wish to keep in mind so that you have the cover you need, when you need it.8, 9, 10
“It’s really important that you take reasonable precautions to prevent or reduce damage to your vehicle or vessel in the event of a flood or storm – for example, by moving your car, caravan or boat to a safe location before the storm hits,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle. “If you fail to do so, it may impact the outcome of your claim.8, 9, 10
“Of course, that’s assuming it’s safe to do so, and you should always heed the advice of emergency services.”
For more expert tips to help you get ready for severe weather, visit our you.prepared emergency content hub.
The content in this article has been prepared based on current government and emergency services guidelines and expert advice provided at the time of publishing. This information is subject to change. Please be sure to check for the latest information and always consider your personal circumstances regarding home safety preparedness and response.
Where you have increased your Youi insurance cover or reduced your excess within 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of a flood, storm, hail or bushfire occurring, cover will be limited to the amount that was effective prior to the change. Loss, damage or legal liability caused by, resulting or arising from flood, storm, hail or bushfire during the first 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of your policy first being purchased is excluded unless certain conditions are met. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full T&Cs.
1 Source: Climate Change Authority – Home safe: National leadership in adapting to a changing climate, June 2025
2 Source: Vic State Emergency Service – 15cm to float
3 Source: NSW Fire and Rescue – Electric vehicles
4 Source: Maritime Safety Queensland – Preparing for severe weather, October 2024
5 Source: Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia – Severe Weather Plan, June 2025
6 Source: Douglas Shire Council – Prepare Your Home, Business, Boat & Caravan
7 Source: Australian Government – Protecting caravans and light structures from high winds
8 See the Car Insurance PDS for full details.
9 See the Caravan and Trailer Insurance PDS for full details.
10 See the Watercraft PDS for full details.
