Australia has always experienced its fair share of severe storms, cyclones and floods, but some experts are warning that these extreme weather events might now be Australia’s new normal.1
Take the start of 2025. While much of the country sweltered under heatwave conditions,1 dry lightning sparked bushfires in Victoria2 and Far North Queensland experienced extreme flooding.1
Then, in early March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred hovered offshore from South-East Queensland for days before being downgraded to a sub-tropical cyclone. Even so, it brought torrential rain, coastal flooding and forceful winds3 – and “highlighted just how unready the region was”, according to Dr David Henderson, Chief Research Engineer at James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station.
“Alfred was a dress rehearsal that taught us how seriously underprepared we were,” says David.
“If the winds had been 20km/h more, we would have had tens of thousands of houses with major structural damage and roof damage, so it was really close to being a major catastrophe.”
One of the best defences against severe storms and cyclones, according to David and other weather emergency experts,4 is to prepare your home early.
With that in mind, we list 7 simple steps you can take to ensure you and your home are as ready as possible before the next big weather event strikes.
You can also use the tool below to build a storm-ready checklist.
Create your storm safety checklist here
Create your storm safety checklist here.
Your storm safety checklist:
Cross the tasks off the list as you complete them.
What to do ahead of storm season
Severe weather can occur at any time during the year in Australia, but between October and April is considered the “higher risk weather season”.5 Here are some key considerations and important tasks you might wish to tackle, ideally in spring, to avoid rushed preparations at the last minute.
1. Understand your extreme weather risk
Learning about the severe weather risks for your area can help reduce the impact of storms and other natural events on you and your family – so this is an essential first step to consider.6
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has a Prepare hub that lets you select your state or territory to find out more about your local weather disaster risks and access resources to help you prepare your home.7
“Understanding your extreme weather risk also means getting a grasp of your property-specific vulnerabilities,” says Geoff Evans, Co-founder of Disaster Relief Australia.
“There are many factors that could make your home more vulnerable to storm damage than your neighbour’s,” says Geoff. “That might include the condition of your roof or windows, your finished floor level, your drainage, and even the landscaping of your yard.”
NEMA also provides a useful checklist – and explains the costs of regular maintenance tasks to help you plan ahead if your budget is tight.8
2. Make a severe weather emergency plan
“Having a clear plan for what you’re going to do and where you’re going to go in the event of a weather emergency is non-negotiable for every household – whether you live in your own home or you’re a tenant – and for one very good reason,” says Geoff.
“If you’re well prepared and you’ve thought through what’s going to occur, you’ll be able to respond to events, rather than just react to them.
“[I’ve] seen this so many times: It’s the early hours of the morning; it’s pouring rain; people are tired and stressed. When we’re stressed, our emotions spike and we don’t remember things properly or think clearly.”
Taking the time to create an emergency plan that covers you and your family if severe weather strikes can also reduce your risk during a storm, cyclone or flood – and may even help you recover faster.9
Your plan should be specific to your circumstances, including which evacuation options are available and whether you have pets or health needs to consider.10
3. Assemble an emergency kit
Having an emergency kit stocked and ready to grab if the weather turns nasty before you have time to get to the shops for supplies is another critical step in being prepared for storm season.11
Recommended items to have in your grab-and-go kit include:12, 11
- First-aid kit
- Essential toiletries
- Enough water and non-perishable food for three days
- Essential kitchen utensils, including a can opener
- Protective equipment, such as thick gloves, face masks and safety glasses
- Important documents, either as paper copies or scans saved to a USB
- Torch with spare batteries
- Battery-powered radio with spare batteries
- Essential medications and prescriptions
- Spare clothes and underwear for each family member
- Spare cash, in case electronic payment systems go down
- Emergency whistle and safety knife
- Sleeping bags or blankets
- Phone chargers and a charged power bank
- Pet supplies, such as feeding bowls and non-perishable food
- Baby supplies, such as bottles, formula and nappies.12, 11
4. Clear gutters and overhanging branches
Leaves and other plant life can build up and block gutters and downpipes. During heavy rain, this can allow water to overflow into eaves, or even flow inside the dwelling and damage internal walls.13 To help prevent this, make sure your gutters and downpipes are debris-free and flowing correctly.13
Overhanging branches not only drop leaves, they can also cause significant damage if they strike your home during a storm or cyclone. Trim any trees that overhang your roof or are within six metres of the house.13
If you’re renting, alert your property manager or landlord of any maintenance of this nature that needs tackling around your home or yard.14
5. Check your roof
“The primary cause of water entering homes during a storm is faulty or degraded roofing,” says Geoff. “You need to make sure your roof is maintained because wind-blown water will get under your roof and into your property.”
Look for leaks and enlist professional help to repair damage or degradation, including loose tiles, metal sheets and screws.10
6. Collaborate with neighbours
Connecting with your neighbours can be a highly effective way to prepare for a severe weather event.15 Ask about their emergency plans and discuss how you may be able to help each other in the preparation phase and when severe weather strikes.16
This can be particularly important for neighbours who may need extra help, including older people living by themselves, people living with a disability or chronic illness, single parents with young children, large families and new arrivals.15
“What really drives action is social momentum,” says David.
“Our behavioural research has shown that if your neighbours are trimming trees, installing shutters, or talking about preparedness, you’re far more likely to do the same. It’s tangible. You can see it. You don’t want to be the only one unprepared.”
7. Review your insurance cover
Checking your home insurance policy ahead of storm season can help you feel more familiar with and confident about the type of >flood or storm-related damage you may be covered for< – for example, if your policy includes cover for things such as temporary accommodation if you’re displaced by a flood or cyclone. It can also be a good idea to create a room-by-room inventory of your home’s contents17 and take photos of your current interior and exterior to help support any future claims.
What to do when severe weather is approaching
Just received a weather warning that a severe weather event could be headed your way? Here are three further steps you can take to prepare your home and surroundings before conditions worsen.
1. Elevate freestanding electrical appliances
If flash flooding has been forecast, raising free-standing electrical appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, above the expected flood level may prevent water damage and electrical problems.18 You could do this by placing blocks underneath them.18
It’s also important to turn off all your indoor appliances at the wall, as well as the main switch if it’s safe to do so.19
“Make sure you know how to turn off your power – and your gas, if you have it,” says Geoff. “Power and water don’t mix.”
Even if the risk of water-related damage isn’t present, storms can cause power surges, so experts suggest unplugging sensitive appliances – including computers, smart devices, televisions and gaming consoles – before severe weather hits.20
2. Secure outdoor items
Outdoor furniture, garden tools, bins, barbecues and trampolines can all become hazards during strong winds – or can be swept away during a flood, warns Geoff.
“People frequently underestimate the power of wind,” he says.
“Even something like a plastic chair travelling at 100 km/h may damage your windows or house – even your car."
“I once saw a plastic straw that had become embedded in a brick after a tornado had ripped through Texas. Just imagine what a shovel could do.”
“Where possible, bring outdoor items inside and tie or stake larger items such as trampolines down securely,” advises David.
Some trampoline brands also recommend dismantling trampolines if they can’t be moved to a sheltered location, or at the very least removing the safety net, flipping the trampoline upside down, and adding heavy loads of sandbags on top of the mat to help prevent movement.21
3. Protect windows and doors
During a severe storm or cyclone, water can enter through the seals around windows and sliding doors. Glass can flex under high wind pressure, causing the seals to move.11
It can be a good idea to check your windows and doors, and to replace or repair any damaged seals ahead of storm season.10, 22
“You can also help soak up wind-driven rain by placing towels beneath windows and doors when potentially destructive weather is forecast,” suggests David.
Sandbags might also help keep rain from being driven inside by strong winds.23
“Placing some black plastic and a line of sandbags along the base of an entrance door can help seal those gaps and stop water from getting in,” he says.
And if you’re wondering about the best way to tape your windows ahead of a cyclone, David has this advice:
“Taping your windows doesn’t actually make them stronger. But if you are going to tape them, use a checkerboard pattern rather than just an X pattern – it won’t stop the glass breaking, but it can help keep pieces together and make the mess easier to clean up,” he says.
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: The University of Melbourne – Extreme weather is Australia’s new normal, February 2025
2 Source: ABC News – Houses destroyed as lightning strikes spark new fires amid Victorian heatwave, February 2025
3 Source: Climate Council – Eye of the storm: how climate pollution fuels more intense and destructive cyclones, March 2025
4 Source: Vic State Emergency Service – Preparing for a storm is easy with the right advice
5 Source: Australian Government – Higher risk weather season
6 Source: Australian Government – Prepare - NSW
7 Source: Australian Government – Prepare
8 Source: Australian Government – Your storm and cyclone resilient home
9 Source: Vic State Emergency Service –Flood
10 Source: NSW State Emergency Service – Prepare your home and property for flood and storm
11 Source: Qld Government – Emergency kit: essential items, all times
12 Source: NSW State Emergency Service – Put together an emergency kit
13 Source: Australian Government – Develop a cyclone preparedness plan
14 Source: NSW Government – Prepare your home for storm season, October 2023
15 Source: City of Logan – Know your neighbours
16 Source: Emergency Preparedness Website – Storms
17 Source: Insurance Council of Australia – Preparing for cyclone
18 Source: Australian Government – Raise sensitive items to prepare for floods
19 Source: Essential Energy – Flood Safety
20 Source: NSW State Emergency Service – Electricity, gas and water safety information
21 Source: Brisbane Times – What to do with your trampoline before the wind picks up, March 2025
22 Source: Australian Government – Maintain your home against cyclones
23 Source: ABC News – Windows, tape and safe rooms: What you need to know about cyclone preparation, December 2023
