Get your home ready for storm season in Queensland
To get your home ready for storm season in Queensland, check the roof for loose sheets, tiles and screws, clear the gutters and downpipes, and trim trees near the house. Fix rust, rot and termite damage before the storms arrive. For anything beyond simple upkeep, use a QBCC licensed tradie.
When is storm season in Queensland?
The Bureau of Meteorology says Queensland’s severe weather season runs from October to April. October to December brings the highest risk of severe thunderstorms to southern Queensland, including the south east.
Cyclone season officially runs from 1 November to 30 April, though cyclones can come at other times. Queensland averages 3 to 4 cyclones a season. Homes within 50 kilometres of the coast from Bundaberg north to Thursday Island, and around the Gulf of Carpentaria, are most at risk. Heavy rain and flooding from a weakening cyclone can reach anywhere in the state.
What should I check before storm season?
- The roof: loose or cracked tiles, loose roof sheets, missing screws, and damaged flashing.
- Gutters and downpipes: clear them so water drains away fast. Fix cracked or broken gutters.
- Trees: trim branches close to the house and the roof.
- Rust, rot and termites: look for rusted roof fixings, rotten timber and termite damage. These are the weak points that fail first in high winds.
- Window seals: repair broken sealant around window sills so rain stays out.
- The yard: clear rubbish, and keep surface drainage and garden beds working so water runs away from the house.
- Loose fixings: tighten loose bolts and tie downs. Heat, humidity and wind can loosen them over time.
How do I make my home electrically safe for storms?
The Electrical Safety Office recommends:
- Install a safety switch and test it regularly.
- Know where to turn off the power, gas and water.
- Unplug outside TV aerials and electrical equipment when a storm is coming.
- If you have solar panels, learn the safe shutdown steps for your system.
Which licensed tradie do I need for each job?
| Job | QBCC licence to look for |
|---|---|
| Metal roof sheets and screws | Roof and Wall Cladding |
| Roof tiles | Roof Tiling |
| Gutters, fascias and downpipes | Metal Fascias and Gutters |
| Rotten timber, battens and eaves | Carpentry |
| Bigger structural repairs | Builder - Low Rise |
| Termite damage and barriers | Termite Management - Chemical |
Any job worth more than $3,300 needs a QBCC licence and a written contract. Electricians are licensed by the Electrical Safety Office, not QBCC.
Is my house built for cyclones?
Houses built in Queensland before the mid-1980s may not be built to cyclone standards, so their roof may not be tied down strongly enough. The Cyclone Testing Station recommends having the roof checked by a qualified building practitioner, such as a builder, building certifier or structural engineer.
They should check:
- the roof connections, from the sheets or tiles down to the walls
- gable end walls, which can collapse if not braced
- garage doors, which often fail in strong winds and let wind into the house
- eaves linings, doors and windows
- carports, patio roofs and verandahs fixed to the house
A house that has been through a cyclone is worth checking too, even if it looks fine.
What should I do when a storm is coming?
- Put garden furniture, toys and other loose items inside.
- Park cars under cover, away from trees and powerlines.
- Close windows and draw the curtains.
- Unplug electrical items and outside aerials.
- Fill buckets and the bath with clean water.
- Keep an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries, a first aid kit, and plastic sheets and tools for temporary repairs.
- Know how to turn off the water, power and gas at the mains.
What about my neighbour’s tree?
If a neighbour’s tree hangs over your house or fence and could fall, ask the owner to deal with it, and keep a record that you asked. If the tree is on council land, tell the council.
After a storm, see Storm damage repairs.