Whether you’re in a city, the bush or anywhere in between, all Australians are at risk of extreme weather.1 But it’s not just the weather event itself that can cause harm.
“When a storm, flood or cyclone hits, it’s not just what you do to stay safe that matters,” says Geoff Evans, Co-founder and Former CEO of Disaster Relief Australia. “Knowing what not to do in a storm counts too.
“I’ve spent more than 20 years attending natural disasters all over the country, including Cyclone Debbie in North Queensland in 2017 and the 2025 Taree floods on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, and I’ve seen the same mistakes repeated over and over.”
When it comes to safely weathering a flood, cyclone or wild storm, every choice you make matters, says Geoff – from preparation made months in advance to actions taken in the heat of the moment.
Read on to discover some common mistakes to avoid when preparing your home for extreme weather and what not to do in a storm, flood or cyclone.
1. Don’t drive through floodwater
There’s a reason this one comes at the top of our ‘what not to do in a storm’ list. Floods are Australia’s second deadliest natural hazard and driving through floodwater accounts for 43% of flood-related deaths – as of 2018.2
“The number one cause of death in floods is people attempting to navigate floodwaters, usually driving, but sometimes they try to ride or walk through,” says Geoff.
Floodwater just 15 centimetres deep has the power to move a small car, while it only takes a depth of 45 centimetres to shift a four-wheel drive.3 Driving through floodwater can also cause your car’s electrical components to stop working. Even in cars with a specified “wading depth”, it’s not worth the risk advises the Queensland Government.4
Of course, if you do find yourself in rapidly rising floodwater, you may not have a choice. If there’s a chance you might become stuck, put your windows down right away to equalise the water pressure and give you a way out of the vehicle.5 And, if you do get stuck, experts recommend following the acronym SWOC’: seatbelts off, windows down then out, children first.5
2. Don’t ignore weather warnings
When it comes to weather warnings, Geoff says the Australian “she’ll be right” attitude means people often fail to take them seriously.
“One of the most common mistakes I see is people ignoring official alerts, particularly evacuation orders,” he explains.
“Evacuation orders are only ever issued when there’s a threat to life and you still have enough time to leave safely – if you act now. They need to be taken seriously.”
3. Don’t leave it too late to make a plan
People often underestimate how quickly conditions can deteriorate during a disaster, says Geoff, and how powerful nature is. So, not having a plan – or planning too late – is a critical error.
“Creating a severe weather emergency plan is essential preparation for every Australian household,” he says. “Among other things, your plan will ensure you know how, when and where to evacuate, how you’ll stay updated during a weather disaster, and what supplies you’ll need on hand.”
Making a plan to stay safe also means preparing your home for severe weather. This could include tying down outdoor furniture, trimming back trees and performing routine roof maintenance.
4. Don’t rely on internet and power
“In any major disaster, power and communications are usually the first services to fail,” warns Geoff. Yet many people just don’t anticipate the impact this can have, he adds.
In particular, people fail to consider how they’ll receive emergency communications, find their evacuation routes or contact each other in the event of an outage.
“My advice is to plan now for how you’ll manage without a phone, the internet or a functioning fridge,” says Geoff. “What will you do if your kids are at a mate’s (place) across town? Is there a rally point where you can all meet? And what will you eat if you can’t tap-and-go to buy food at the supermarket for three days?”
Food in a fridge will generally last only two to four hours without power, while your frozen goods may last anywhere from one to two days.6
Thinking ahead can help you ensure you have everything you may need in your emergency kit, such as a camp stove and a supply of shelf-stable food.7
5. Don’t leave your supply shopping to the last minute
In the days before Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall in South East Queensland in early March 2025, panic buying caused significant shortages in supermarket supplies, even in areas thousands of kilometres away from impacted communities.8
Panic buying isn’t uncommon, says Geoff, but it’s usually a sign that people have waited too long.
“Generally, if you’re well prepared, there should be no need to panic buy,” he notes.
6. Don’t forget to fill the bath
Severe weather can impact water supplies.9 Yet, says Geoff, many people, particularly city dwellers, don’t understand this risk.
“Unless people have actually experienced it firsthand, it’s very hard to get them to understand that they might lose clean water for days,” he explains.
In addition to preparing 10 litres of water per person for drinking,10 experts recommend filling up your bathtub or a bucket with water, which you can use for hygiene needs11 such as washing your hands or flushing the toilet – either by filling the tank with water and flushing as usual, or pouring water directly into the bowl to flush it out.
7. Don’t forget to prep your windows
You might have seen people in your neighbourhood taping a large X across windows ahead of severe weather. And while preparing your home is a great idea, windows taped this way could break into larger shards, making them even more dangerous.12
Instead, help you and your family stay safe by taping large plastic sheets along the inside frame, or consider boarding them up for additional protection.11
8. Don’t open windows during high winds
Another mistake is opening your windows during high winds, says Dr David Henderson, Chief Engineer at James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station.
“Some people do this thinking it will depressurise their property, but it depends which side of the house is currently being hit by wind. If the wind direction changes, it can actually make it more likely that your roof will be blown off,” explains David.
That’s because when windows are open, your roof has to resist almost twice as much wind pressure.13
“Many Australian homes aren’t built to withstand this sort of force,” says David. For this reason, it’s best to keep your windows closed.14
9. Don’t use generators in an enclosed space
If you’re planning on relying on a generator for power during a severe weather event, it’s critical to know how to do so safely. Using a generator, combustion engine or open flame indoors can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, says Geoff, which can quickly lead to asphyxiation and death.15
In addition to the risks of carbon monoxide, portable generators also carry the risk of electrocution or fire. So, it’s essential to follow instructions, use them correctly and only operate them outside in well-ventilated areas.15
10. Don’t assume the danger has passed
At number. 10 on our ‘what not to do in a storm’ list, this one’s an easy trap to fall into – assuming that, once a severe weather event passes, you’re out of danger.
This is a common weather misconception, says David. In reality, the period after a flood or cyclone may prove just as dangerous.
“In the eye of a cyclone, for example, conditions may briefly seem calm, but strong winds soon return from the opposite direction and catch people off guard,” explains David.
“Even once the system has passed, risks remain. There may be live powerlines or solar panels down, carrying the risk of electrocution; sharp debris; and continued heavy rain that can trigger flash flooding or a storm surge.
“So even if the skies clear, stay alert, follow official updates, and prioritise safety.”
For more expert tips to help you get ready for severe weather, visit our you.prepared emergency content hub.
Source: Queensland Government, Flood myths, qld.gov.au
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 Council – Australia’s most climate vulnerable property locations in 2025, April 2025
2 Source: National Road Safety Partnership Program – NRSPP Fact Sheet: Driving Through Floodwater, 2021
3 Source: Vic State Emergency Service – 15 to float
4 Source: Drive – Drivers warned: Don’t drive through floodwaters – UPDATE, July 2022
5 Source: The Guardian – ‘It can be really difficult’: experts on how to avoid getting trapped in a submerged car during floods, March 2021
6 Source: ABC Emergency – Dealing with a power outage after severe weather, August 2025
7 Source: NSW Government – What is a power outage and what to do
8 Source: ABC News – Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred takes toll on supermarkets as shelves stripped bare far from impact zone, March 2025
9 Source: NSW State Emergency Service – Electricity, gas and water safety information
10 Source: Qld State Emergency Service – Pack your emergency kit
11 Source: NSW Government – Tropical Cyclone Alfred
12 Source: ABC News – What should I be doing as Tropical Cyclone Alfred hits?, March 2025
13 Source: The Conversation – How cyclones rip apart houses – and how to boost the chance your home stays standing, March 2025
14 Source: ABC News – Windows, tape and safe rooms: What you need to know about cyclone preparation, December 2023
15 Source: Energy Safe Victoria – Using a generator safely, June 2024
