Storm Season Preparation Guide for Australian Homeowners

Australia’s storm season runs from October to April, and every year it catches homeowners off guard. In 2025 alone, extreme weather triggered 264,000 insurance claims and $3.5 billion in insured losses, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. Nearly 3,000 severe storms were recorded between 2014 and 2024, averaging roughly 300 per year.

Storm damage hits homes in predictable places: roofs, gutters, trees, drainage, fences, and windows. Every weak point can be assessed and reinforced before storm season arrives, and most of the work takes a licensed tradesperson a few hours. The alternative is a 2am emergency callout with a six-week insurance claim queue behind your neighbours.

This storm season preparation guide covers what to check, what to fix, which trades to call, and what each job costs. Work through it between August and October.

1. Inspect and Repair Your Roof

Storm season preparation starts at the top of your house. Your roof is the first line of defence against storm damage and the most expensive to repair after the fact. Wind gusts above 90 km/h rip off loose ridge capping and peel back unsecured sheeting. A single cracked tile or degraded flashing gives water a direct path into the ceiling cavity.

What to check (from the ground, using binoculars):

• Cracked, broken, or slipped tiles. Terracotta and concrete tiles become brittle with age, particularly on north-facing slopes. A single missing tile lets water pour into the roof cavity.
• Lifted or corroded metal sheeting. Coastal homes are vulnerable to salt corrosion on Colorbond fixings. Look for rust spots around screw heads and along overlaps.
• Flashing around penetrations. Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights degrades after 10 to 15 years and is the most common source of hard-to-find storm leaks.
• Ridge capping. Mortar bedding cracks and crumbles over time. Repointing costs $40 to $60 per linear metre.
• Roof tie-downs. Homes in cyclone-rated areas (north QLD, WA, NT) should have roof structure tied to wall framing. Homes built before 1982 may not meet current AS/NZS 1170.2 wind-loading standards.

Do not climb on the roof yourself. Falls from roofs account for 14 percent of workplace fatalities in Australia. A professional inspection costs $200 to $400.

Who to call: A licensed roofer for tile replacement, sheet repairs, flashing, and ridge capping. Find one on TradieVerify. If the roofer identifies structural issues with trusses or rafters, also consult a licensed builder or structural engineer.

2. Clean Gutters and Check Drainage

Blocked gutters are the second most common cause of storm water damage. When gutters overflow, water cascades down walls, pools around foundations, and seeps into subfloor spaces. In a 50mm downpour, blocked gutters turn your house into a waterfall.

Gutter and downpipe maintenance:

• Remove leaves, twigs, and debris from all gutters. Internal corners and valley gutters block fastest.
• Check gutter falls. Water should flow towards downpipes without ponding. Correct fall is 1:500 (5mm per metre). Sagging sections need resetting.
• Inspect joints and corners for rust, holes, or separated seams. Patch small holes with gutter sealant ($15 to $25). Replace rusted-through sections.
• Flush downpipes with a garden hose. If water backs up, the blockage may be in the elbow or underground stormwater drain.
• Gutter guard mesh ($25 to $45 per metre installed) is worth considering if you have overhanging trees.

Stormwater drainage:

Your downpipes connect to underground stormwater drains. If blocked by tree roots, silt, or collapsed pipe, water surfaces around foundations. A licensed plumber can inspect with a CCTV drain camera and clear blockages with a jetter ($250 to $500).

Check that ground slopes away from the house on all sides and that yard drains, channel drains, and ag drains are clear and flowing.

Who to call: A licensed roofer or plumber for gutter cleaning, repair, and replacement. For stormwater drain clearing, a plumber with drainage endorsement is required. A licensed landscaper can regrade surface drainage.

3. Trim Trees and Manage Vegetation

Falling trees and branches cause some of the most severe storm damage to Australian homes. A mature eucalyptus dropping a limb in a 100 km/h gust can punch through a roof, flatten a fence, or bring down power lines. Proactive trimming is cheaper and safer than emergency removal after a storm.

What to assess:

• Overhanging branches. Trim any branches within 3 metres of your roof, walls, or windows. Storm winds whip branches against surfaces, breaking glass and dislodging tiles.
• Dead or dying trees. Look for significant deadwood, split trunks, or fungal growth at the base. These are far more likely to fail in high winds.
• Trees near power lines. Do not trim these yourself. Contact your electricity distributor (Energex in SE QLD, Ausgrid in Sydney, AusNet in VIC) for clearance.

Costs for professional tree work:

Council permits: Most councils require a permit before removing significant trees. Fines for unauthorised removal range from $2,000 to over $100,000. Check your council’s tree management policy before work begins.

Who to call: A qualified arborist (AQF Level 3 or higher) for assessment, trimming, and removal. After tree removal, a licensed landscaper can manage site restoration.

4. Secure Fences, Sheds, and Outdoor Structures

Outdoor structures that seem solid in calm weather become projectiles in strong winds. A loose fence paling becomes a spear. A garden shed with rusted fixings lifts off its slab.

Fences:

• Walk your boundary fence line and push against each post. Wobbling or leaning posts need rebracing or replacing.
• Check palings, rails, and fixings are secure. Budget $50 to $120 per metre for repairs, $120 to $250 per metre for new Colorbond.
• Colorbond fences in cyclone zones should be rated to N3 or higher under AS 4055.

Sheds and outbuildings:

• Confirm the shed is bolted to its slab. Many older sheds sit by gravity alone and will lift in winds above 90 km/h.
• Check door latches and roller door tracks. Doors that blow open allow wind to pressurise the interior and blow the roof off.
• Tighten loose roof screws. Replace stripped or corroded fixings.

Other outdoor items:

• Secure or store furniture, trampolines, pot plants, wheelie bins, and anything that could become airborne.
• Remove shade sails if a severe storm warning is issued. Check blinds and awning fixings.

Who to call: A licensed builder or carpenter for fence repairs and structural shed work.

5. Check Your Electrical System

Water ingress through a damaged roof can reach switchboards and wiring. Lightning strikes cause power surges that destroy appliances and start fires. Power outages leave homes without lighting, refrigeration, and medical equipment.

Pre-storm electrical checks:

• Safety switch (RCD) testing. Press the test button on each RCD in your switchboard. If it does not trip immediately, call a licensed electrician ($150 to $250 per RCD replacement).
• Surge protection. A whole-of-house surge protector at the switchboard costs $300 to $600 and protects all appliances from lightning-induced surges.
• Outdoor power points. Check that outdoor GPOs have weatherproof covers and proper sealing. Water ingress is a shock and fire hazard.
• Solar panel isolators. If you have solar, check the DC isolator switch. DC isolator failures are a fire risk. A licensed solar installer or electrician should inspect annually.

Backup power:

• Portable generators (2 to 5kW, $800 to $3,000) can run essential circuits during extended outages. Never operate indoors due to carbon monoxide risk.
• Battery storage systems ($10,000 to $18,000 installed) provide automatic backup. A licensed electrician must install any backup power system.

Who to call: A licensed electrician for all switchboard, RCD, surge protection, and outdoor wiring work. For solar systems, a licensed solar installer. Find licensed electricians on TradieVerify.

6. Review Your Insurance Before Storm Season

Insurance review is the most overlooked storm season preparation task, and it is free. Most homeowners assume their policy covers storm damage until they file a claim and discover gaps.

What to check in your policy:

• Storm cover vs flood cover. Standard home insurance covers storm damage (wind, rain, hail). Flood cover is often a paid add-on or excluded in high-risk postcodes. Confirm flood is included if your property is in a flood-prone area.
• Sum insured. Building costs have increased 20 to 30 percent since 2020. If your sum insured has not been updated in three years, you are likely underinsured.
• Temporary accommodation. Check whether your policy covers alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable, and what the cap is.
• Contents cover. Document contents with photos or video stored in the cloud. This speeds up claims processing.
• Excess amount. Some policies have separate (higher) excesses for storm or cyclone events. Know yours before you need to claim.

Actions to take now:

• Photograph or video every room and the exterior. Store in cloud storage, not only on your phone.
• Keep your policy number and insurer’s claims line in your emergency kit.
• Inform your insurer of storm-preparedness improvements (tie-downs, gutter guard, cyclone shutters) as they may reduce your premium.

In 2025, the spring storm season alone generated $1.4 billion in insured losses from five weeks of severe weather. Adequate cover is not optional.

7. Cyclone Zones: Extra Steps for QLD, WA, and NT

If you live north of the Tropic of Capricorn in QLD, WA, or the NT, standard storm season preparation is not enough. Tropical cyclones bring sustained winds above 120 km/h, storm surge flooding, and rain dumping 300mm in 24 hours. The cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, with the first coastal crossing in late December on average.

Cyclone-specific preparation:

• Cyclone shutters or screens. Permanent screens cost $200 to $500 per window. Plywood boarding (12mm structural ply, $40 to $80 per sheet) is a cheaper alternative with pre-drilled mounting holes.
• Roof tie-down inspection. Homes in Wind Region C (coastal QLD north of Bundaberg, WA north of Carnarvon, all NT) and Region D (within 50km of coast from Cairns to Broome) must meet cyclonic wind-loading standards. A licensed builder can inspect and report on compliance.
• Garage doors. Wind entering through a failed garage door pressurises the house and can blow the roof off. Cyclone-rated roller doors cost $1,500 to $3,500 installed.
• Water supply. Fill bathtubs and containers before a cyclone warning. Allow 10 litres per person per day. Mains supply may be disrupted for days.

QLD/NSW resources:

• Get Ready Queensland (getready.qld.gov.au) provides suburb-level risk mapping and emergency plan templates.
• NSW SES (ses.nsw.gov.au) covers storm season preparation for the east coast. SES Assistance Line: 132 500.
• QBCC licences are required for all trade work in cyclone repair. Verify contractors at TradieVerify.

Who to call: A licensed builder for cyclone compliance inspection. A licensed electrician for generator installation. A licensed roofer experienced with cyclonic wind ratings for roof work.

8. Build a Storm Emergency Kit

A storm season preparation kit assembled in advance means you can focus on property protection when a warning is issued, rather than scrambling for supplies.

Essential items:

• Battery-powered or wind-up radio for BOM updates when power is down
• Torch with fresh batteries and spares
• First aid kit with current medications
• Mobile phone with fully charged portable charger
• Waterproof bag: insurance policy, ID, property title, medical records
• 3-day water supply (10 litres per person per day)
• Non-perishable food and manual can opener
• Cash (ATMs and EFTPOS fail during power outages)

Digital preparation: Download the BOM Weather app and your state’s SES app. Save emergency contacts: SES (132 500), 000, your insurer’s claims line, and a trusted electrician and plumber for post-storm repairs. Back up property photos and documents to cloud storage.

After the storm:

• Do not enter damaged buildings until assessed by SES or a licensed builder.
• Stay away from fallen power lines and report them immediately.
• Photograph all damage before temporary repairs. Emergency tarping costs $500 to $2,000.

When to Book Your Storm Season Trades

Effective storm season preparation means booking trades early. Aim for August to September for the best availability. Once the first storms hit in October, every roofer, plumber, and electrician in your area will be responding to emergency callouts, and wait times can stretch to weeks.

Before booking any tradesperson, verify their licence on TradieVerify to confirm it is current and covers the scope of work you need. For guidance on checking licences state by state, see our licence verification guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does storm season start in Australia?

Australia’s general storm season runs from October to April, with severe thunderstorms and hail most common between November and March. The tropical cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. NSW SES classifies September to April as higher-risk. Start storm season preparation in August to September, before trades get booked out.

Which storm preparation jobs need a licensed tradesperson?

Roof repairs require a licensed roofer. Electrical work (RCDs, surge protectors, generators) requires a licensed electrician. Stormwater drains require a licensed plumber with drainage endorsement. Cyclone tie-downs require a licensed builder. Tree trimming near power lines must go through your electricity distributor. Gutter cleaning, securing outdoor items, and emergency kits are DIY. Verify licences at TradieVerify.

How much does full storm preparation cost?

Full storm season preparation for a typical 3-bedroom home in a non-cyclone area costs $1,200 to $3,500 covering the main jobs: roof inspection and minor repairs $200 to $600, gutter cleaning $200 to $400, stormwater drain clearing $250 to $500, tree trimming $200 to $1,000, fence repairs $100 to $500, and electrical safety check with surge protection $400 to $800. In cyclone zones (north QLD, WA, NT), add $1,000 to $5,000 for cyclone screens, tie-down upgrades, and rated garage doors. Insurance review is free and should not be skipped.

Does home insurance cover all storm damage?

Not automatically. Standard insurance covers storm damage (wind, rain, hail), but flood is usually a separate add-on or excluded in high-risk postcodes. Some policies have higher excesses for storm or cyclone events. Check your Product Disclosure Statement. The ICA reported $3.5 billion in extreme weather claims in 2025. Update your sum insured to reflect current building costs, which have risen 20 to 30 percent since 2020.

What should I do immediately after a severe storm?

Stay indoors until the all-clear from SES or BOM. Do not enter damaged buildings. Stay away from fallen power lines and report them to your distributor. Photograph all damage before touching anything for insurance purposes. For emergency roof tarping, contact a licensed roofer. For electrical hazards, call a licensed electrician. For burst pipes or flooding, call a licensed plumber.

Are homes in cyclone zones built differently?

Yes. Homes in wind regions C and D (north QLD, north WA, NT) must comply with AS/NZS 1170.2 and AS 4055 cyclonic wind-loading standards. These require roof tie-downs through wall framing to the foundation, cyclone-rated fixings, and specific bracing. Homes built before 1982 often do not meet current standards. A licensed builder can inspect and recommend upgrades. Get Ready Queensland provides free property assessment guides at getready.qld.gov.au.

Related Guides

• How to Hire a Licensed Roofer — Our roofer hiring guide
• How to Hire a Licensed Electrician — Our electrician hiring guide
• Bushfire Season Home Preparation Checklist — Our bushfire preparation checklist

Sources

1. Insurance Council of Australia, “Extreme Weather Cost $3.5 Billion in 2025,” insurancecouncil.com.au, accessed February 2026.
2. Bureau of Meteorology, “Australian Tropical Cyclone Season Monitoring,” bom.gov.au, accessed February 2026.
3. NSW State Emergency Service, “Storm Season Preparation,” ses.nsw.gov.au, accessed February 2026.
4. Get Ready Queensland, “Protect Your Home,” getready.qld.gov.au, accessed February 2026.
5. Safe Work Australia, “Working at Heights,” safeworkaustralia.gov.au, accessed February 2026.
6. QBE Insurance, “How to Prepare for a Storm,” qbe.com/au, accessed February 2026.
7. Queensland SES, “Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide,” ses.qld.gov.au, accessed February 2026.
8. Australian Building Codes Board, “NCC 2025 Wind Loading Standards,” abcb.gov.au, accessed February 2026.