Introduction
Australia’s tropical cyclone season runs from November to April each year, with an average of 11 cyclones forming in the Australian region per season — approximately 4–5 of which make landfall. Queensland’s eastern coastline from Cooktown to the Gold Coast, the Northern Territory’s Top End, and Western Australia’s Pilbara and Kimberley coasts are the most cyclone-exposed regions. Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 was the most-searched event of the year, making landfall as a Category 2 system and causing widespread flooding in southeast Queensland and northern NSW. The Bureau of Meteorology’s 2025–26 outlook forecasts an above-average season, driven by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Coral Sea.
Before Cyclone Season: Preparation Checklist
Pre-season preparation (October–November, before the cyclone season begins in earnest) should include: trimming tree branches near your house that could break windows or damage roofing; cleaning gutters and downpipes to prevent water ingress; checking your roof for loose tiles or sheet metal; and confirming your home and contents insurance covers cyclone damage (including storm surge and flooding — note that many Queensland policies have separate cyclone exclusions or excesses). Review your insurance policy for the cyclone excess, which can be AUD 2,000–5,000 above the standard excess. Store important documents (passport, birth certificate, insurance policy, property title, medical records) in a waterproof container or upload digital copies to cloud storage with offline access enabled.
Emergency Kit: What You Need for 72 Hours
Every household in a cyclone-prone area should maintain a 72-hour emergency kit stored in a waterproof container. Essential items: drinking water (10 litres per person — the Queensland Government recommends 3 days’ supply), non-perishable food (canned goods, dried fruit, energy bars, infant formula if needed), a battery-powered or wind-up radio to receive BOM warnings even if mobile networks fail, a torch with spare batteries (not a phone torch — conserve phone battery for emergency calls), a first aid kit including prescription medications, a mobile phone power bank (fully charged at the start of cyclone season and recharged monthly), and cash in small denominations (ATMs and EFTPOS may be offline for days after landfall). For households with pets, add pet food, water, a leash, and a carrier. For households with infants, add nappies, formula, and wipes for at least three days.
Cyclone Watch vs Warning: Understanding BOM Alerts
The Bureau of Meteorology issues two levels of cyclone alert. A Cyclone Watch is issued when gale-force winds are expected within 48 hours — this is the signal to activate your preparation plan, secure loose outdoor items (trampolines, outdoor furniture, gardening equipment), fill your vehicle’s fuel tank, and confirm your evacuation route. A Cyclone Warning is issued when gale-force winds are expected within 24 hours — this signals that you should complete preparation, move vehicles under cover (not under trees), tape windows in a cross pattern with heavy-duty packing tape (this does not prevent breakage but reduces glass shard scatter), and fill bathtubs and buckets with water for sanitation. Shelter in the strongest part of the house — typically a small interior room on the ground floor, such as a bathroom or hallway, away from windows. If authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately.
During the Cyclone: Shelter in Place
Once gale-force winds arrive, stay indoors. Close all interior doors to compartmentalise the house — if one room loses its roof, internal doors slow wind pressure from destroying the rest of the structure. Do not go outside during the eye of the cyclone — the calm is temporary and winds resume abruptly from the opposite direction, often with greater intensity. If the building starts to break apart, shelter under a mattress or heavy table, or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area if outside shelter is absolutely necessary. Do not drive or walk through floodwater — 15 centimetres of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and 60 centimetres can move most cars. Floodwater may also be contaminated with sewage, debris, or live electrical current.
After the Cyclone: Recovery and Safety
After the official all-clear from emergency services (not just when the wind dies down — wait for the BOM to formally downgrade the cyclone below tropical cyclone intensity), check your property for structural damage, gas leaks (smell and listen for hissing), and electrical hazards (downed power lines — stay at least 8 metres away and report to the local electricity distributor, not just 000). Do not use generators, camp stoves, or charcoal barbecues indoors — carbon monoxide poisoning kills several Australians each cyclone season. Boil tap water or use bottled water until the local water authority confirms supply safety. Document all damage with photographs before cleaning up (for insurance claims), and contact your insurer as soon as possible — claims are typically processed in order of lodgement, and demand surges after major events.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a cyclone, hurricane, and typhoon? A: They are the same meteorological phenomenon (a tropical cyclone). The name differs by region: cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean (including Australia), hurricanes in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, and typhoons in the Northwest Pacific.
Q: Does my home insurance automatically cover cyclone damage? A: Not always. Many policies in cyclone-prone postcodes have cyclone-specific excesses, waiting periods (typically 48–72 hours after policy purchase), and exclusions for storm surge. Check your Product Disclosure Statement. If you purchased a policy during an active cyclone warning, cyclone damage is likely excluded.
Q: Where are official evacuation centres located? A: Evacuation centre locations are announced by local councils and state emergency services (SES in NSW/QLD/VIC, DFES in WA, NTES in the NT) during an active cyclone event. They are typically set up in schools, community halls, and sports centres on high ground. Register with your local council’s emergency alert system (most offer SMS and email alerts) to receive notifications.
Q: How are cyclones categorised? A: The Australian system uses five categories based on maximum wind gusts: Category 1 (gusts under 125 km/h — minor damage), Category 2 (125–164 km/h — minor house damage, significant tree damage), Category 3 (165–224 km/h — roof and structural damage), Category 4 (225–279 km/h — significant roofing loss, structural damage), Category 5 (over 280 km/h — widespread destruction). Categories 3 and above are classified as severe tropical cyclones.
Q: Can I stay in my home during a Category 4 or 5 cyclone? A: Emergency services recommend evacuation for Category 4 and 5 cyclones. Homes built before 1985 (when cyclone building codes were introduced in Queensland and the NT) may not withstand winds above 225 km/h. Even post-1985 homes with cyclone-rated construction can suffer structural failure under Category 5 conditions.
Sources
- Bureau of Meteorology, Tropical Cyclone Outlook 2025–26, bom.gov.au
- Queensland Government, Get Ready Queensland: Cyclone Preparedness, getready.qld.gov.au
- NT Emergency Service, Cyclone Safety, pfes.nt.gov.au
- WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Cyclone Smart, dfes.wa.gov.au
- SES NSW, Storm and Cyclone Preparation, ses.nsw.gov.au