November to April is cyclone season for northern Australia and our members in the top end are reminded of the support LGIS provides.
November to April is cyclone season in Australia. In 2024-25 the Bureau of Metrology (BOM) predicts there will be 11 tropical cyclones in the Australian region, 4 of which cross the coast.
This season the likelihood of severe (strong) tropical cyclones is higher than average, because of the warmer than average ocean temperatures forecast for the Australian region in the coming months. The BOM advises that the first tropical cyclone to cross the Australian coast typically occurs in late December.
Common property cyclone damage
- Roofs blown away due to failure of rusted fasteners, connector plates, roof battens and other roof components.
- Structural damage to buildings caused by cyclone winds. This structural damage can then lead to debris that further damages other buildings, even if adequately protected against wind loading.
- Damage to verandas and roofs caused by failure of rot or termite-affected timber.
- Failure of inadequately secured gutters, flashings, fascia and eaves.
- Wind-driven rain entering buildings through vents, under flashings or through weep holes in windows and glass sliding doors, causing damage to floors, ceilings, walls and building contents.
- Broken doors and windows caused by wind-borne debris, which can let in more rain and wind.
- Doors and windows blown open due to inadequate fixing to walls or inadequate locks and door sets.
- Garage doors being blown in or out.
- Collapse of unreinforced masonry walls.
- Damage to buildings, fences, pools, patios and carports etc. caused by falling trees or wind-borne debris.
- Property inundation and damage caused by storm tide.
Members can mitigate the risk of property damage by focussing or rather upgrading areas which are at high risk of getting damaged due to rain and accompanied wind, and further identifying other potential hazards around an asset.
Precaution needs to be administered in three stages – pre-season actions, immediate actions, and regular retrofits and upgrades.
1. Pre-season actions
The focus should be on aspects like roof inspections, securing control boards from water, storing chemicals above ground level, and cleaning and tightening of gutters.
2. Immediate actions
These set of actions are different from the previous ones as they focus on implementations done right ahead of a cyclone warning. Preparedness measures include additional availability of fuel, finding proper shelter for vehicles, and disconnecting main electrical feeds to the facility.
3. Building Retrofits and Upgrades
Whether an asset falls under cyclone-prone zone or not, retrofits and upgrades are essential part of property maintenance. Therefore, members are advised to regularly inspect, maintain and repair any asset they own. This is important as many building materials deteriorate over a period of time, and their steel elements and reinforcement in concrete can corrode. Moreover, rot or termites can affect the timber used in the construction of an asset.
Resources for members
LGIS has a number of checklists to help members prepare for cyclone, flood and bushfire.