5 Expert Ways to Weatherproof Your Home to Withstand Cyclones

Photo by Road Trip with Raj

Many things are commonly associated with living or visiting Australia. Excruciating temperatures, larger-than-life-spiders, cute koalas and miles of tropical beaches are the factors that often make it to the list. Violent storms and cyclones aren’t usually associated with Australia, yet they happen more than a stranger might know! 

Australians who live in the northern territories know that in addition to hot weather, the summer also brings the risk of severe tropical storms. With this in mind, homeowners make it a priority to weatherproof their homes when they’re doing home improvements like a Velux skylight installation.

What are Cyclones?

Essentially, cyclones are rapidly rotating storm systems that are primarily characterised by a low-pressure centre, a closed low-level arrangement, strong winds and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rains and even squalls. 

Cyclone season in Australia officially happens between November and April. Typically, 11 cyclones occur every year with about four of them making landfall across Australia. The hardest hit regions are Queensland Northern, Western Australia and Territory.

Weatherproofing Your Home—More Crucial Than You Think

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to 100% weatherproof your house to resist the power of violent storms and cyclones. However, there are a few pointers to keep in mind if you want to minimise storm damage. Keep reading as we share a few tips to help you increase your home’s resilience this season.

1. Assess the Area

In many instances, storm damage to homes originates from falling trees. This makes it imperative to check the area around your home for any trees that could cause damage. Trim back rogue branches and remove trees that could uproot or break in a severe storm. 

Experts recommend doing this quarterly to avoid having to rush around at the end of winter. It’s also a good idea to enlist an arborist who specialises in tree trimmings and removals to spare yourself the hassle of doing it.

2. Give Your Roof Some TLC

Since your roof is one the most defenseless areas of your home, you need to do regular roof maintenance to keep it strong and sturdy. To do this, follow these simple tips:

• Check for loose sheets or tiles and do timeous repairs
• Opt for roof tie-downs and roofing fasteners to keep sheets secured
• With tiles, ensure that each tile is secured to the battens by the corresponding clips and fixings 
• Solar panels should be secured to ensure they don’t become dislodged 
• Check and replace any loose or rusted screws and nails 
• Ensure that your custom skylights have been professionally installed to avoid damage during a storm
• Clear out your gutters and ensure they are free of loose debris that could block them and cause water to overflow into the eaves of your roof

3. Secure Your Fence

While your fence is technically not part of your house, having loose parts could cause damage during a cyclone or storm. Here you want to check for unstable bases, loose hinges, screws and any other parts that damage windows or injure people if they suddenly came loose.

4. Check and Secure Windows and Doors

Next on your list, you need to check your windows and doors for loose hinges and handles. If you are in an area that has a high rating for potential cyclones, it may be a good idea to invest in roller shutters on the outside of your windows. Doing this will add another layer of protection to your windows and reduce the likelihood of shards of glass getting all over the place. Shutters will also create a barrier between your window and any potential branches or flying debris.

5. Have a Plan and an Emergency Kit

Also technically not house related, but equally necessary, all residents should create an emergency kit in case of a power blackout. This kit should include the following:

• Torches with extra batteries
• Candles and matches
• First aid supplies
• A few bottles of fresh water
• Canned food with a can opener

The point of an emergency plan is to eliminate as much stress as possible if you and your family need to evacuate your home. Some key elements of your emergency plan are listed as:

• Outline all safe exit points around your home
• Choose an agreed upon meeting point—you may need to practice these steps with smaller children 
• Discuss a way to remain in contact should you become separated from each other
• Prepare an emergency evacuation bag for each family member—these bags should be packed with food, water, clothes and torches. 

These plans and bags are important for residents living in flood-prone areas or areas with a high probability of severe storms and cyclones. 

Final Thoughts

Taking a few precautions during the year will ensure your home stands a better chance of making it through the upcoming storm season. Follow the tips we’ve shared to ensure you and your family have peace of mind even during the worst weather!