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Preparing for the Tropical Cyclone Season
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Preparing for the Tropical Cyclone Season

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Protect your building

Preparing for the Tropical Cyclone Season

In Queensland, cyclone season officially starts at the beginning of November.  

Each year, Queenslanders are urged to get ready for the next wave of tropical storms, many of which tend to form between January and March.  

An average of four cyclones form in the Coral Sea each cyclone season. Thankfully, not all of them cross the coast. However, damaging winds, rain and large swells can still impact communities over the course of the season.  

The Bureau of Meteorology normally issues a cyclone warning within 24 hours of when a cyclone is expected to hit, but early preparation is still advised. The Queensland Government’s “Get Ready” program helps people to prepare for cyclone season, with step-by-step information on developing an emergency plan, preparing your home, and ensuring you receive the most up-to-date information and warnings as they’re released.  

Below are a few suggestions for preparing for the tropical cyclone season. 

 

Develop an emergency plan 

Ensure everyone in your household is aware of potential hazards and what action to take when an emergency occurs. You should also ensure everyone knows how to tune in to local radio and TV stations and the Bureau of Meteorology website for current warnings. The Queensland Government’s Get Ready website provides further information on developing an emergency plan. 

 

Prepare your home 

Before cyclone season comes around, check the condition of your roof and repair any loose tiles, eaves or screws. Do this well in advance so you’re not up on your roof and rushing to avoid the approaching storm, as rushing when you’re working at heights is a recipe for disaster.

You should also clean out your gutters and downpipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible rather than backing up and flooding your home. Even better, after cleaning out your gutters, install sturdy gutter mesh with an appropriate aperture for debris-free gutters and greater peace of mind and protection.

Trim trees and overhanging branches to protect your home and roof, and secure loose items such as garden furniture and toys that could cause damage if blown around in high winds.

Make general preparations

Ensure your home, contents and car insurance are up-to-date and cover your assets adequately. Make sure that your first aid kit is stocked with all the essentials and ensure at least one person in your household knows first aid. Stock bottled water and canned food (the kind you actually like to eat) in case the cyclone damages water infrastructure or cuts you off from the shops or food supplies. 

 

One step at a time preparation 

Preparing for natural disasters such as tropical cyclones can feel like an overwhelming task.

However, if you choose to prepare by completing one step a week, you can make preparation manageable and be confident you’ve done all you can to get ready for the tropical cyclone season.

For more information, visit the Queensland government’s Get Ready website today.

The Growing Bushfire Threat 

Australia’s bushfire seasons are becoming more intense and unpredictable. The devastating 2019–2020 Black Summer fires burned over 24 million hectares, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and impacted communities across the country (Statista, 2023). And the risks are only increasing: 

  • Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer. 
  • Extreme fire weather is becoming more frequent. 
  • The annual area burned is growing. 

Prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and drier landscapes are creating the perfect storm for fires to ignite and spread rapidly (Bowman et al., 2017). In some regions, fire seasons are now over a month longer than they were 35 years ago (NASA, 2023). 

Your Gutters: A Hidden Fire Risk 

When it comes to bushfire preparedness, many homeowners focus on clearing vegetation around their property. But one critical weak spot is often overlooked—gutters.This phenomenon, known as an ember attack, is responsible for up to 90% of homes lost in bushfires (Leonard et al., 2016). Dry leaves and debris in gutters provide the perfect fuel, allowing fire to spread to the roof and into the home within minutes. 

Gutter Protection: A Simple Yet Powerful Defence 

 
Investing in effective gutter protection is a key step in reducing your home’s bushfire risk. At Blue Mountain Gutter Mesh, we offer premium ember guard-compliant gutter mesh, designed to defend against ember attack. Our 2mm steel and aluminium gutter mesh options meet Australian Standard AS3959-2018 for ember guard compliance while preventing flammable debris buildup in your gutters—a critical factor since up to 90% of bushfire-related property losses stem from ember ignition. Crafted from non-combustible, corrosion-resistant materials, our mesh keeps embers and leaves out, safeguarding your home. 
 
2mm Steel Gutter Mesh: Ember guard compliant for all BALs (12.5, 19, 29, 40 and Flame Zone) 

2mm Aluminium Mesh: Features a woven edge for extra durability and is ember guard compliant for BALs 12.5, 19 and 29. 

5 Signs Your Gutters Need Protection Now 

  1. Leaves and debris constantly build up. 
  2. Water spills over during heavy rain. 
  3. Your gutters are sagging or pulling away. 
  4. Stains or water damage appear on exterior walls. 
  5. You live in a bushfire-prone area. 

Bushfire Readiness Checklist: 

✅ Install ember guards to your gutters 
✅ Regularly clear gutters and roof valleys. 
✅ Remove flammable materials from around your home. 
✅ Practice your evacuation plan with your family. 

The risk of bushfires is real—and growing. Don’t wait until the flames are at your doorstep. Protect your home now, starting from the top down. 

We're here to help you build a safer, more resilient home.

Talk to our team today about ember guard solutions for your property.

Click Here

 

Reference List 

  1. Statista. (2023). Impact of the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com 
  1. Bowman, D. M. J. S., Balch, J. K., Artaxo, P., Bond, W. J., Cochrane, M. A., D’Antonio, C. M., … & Swetnam, T. W. (2017). Fire in the Earth System. Science, 324(5926), 481–484. doi:10.1126/science.1163886 
  1. NASA. (2023). Bushfire season length and climate trends. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov 
  1. Leonard, J., Blanchi, R., Bowditch, P., & Besnard, V. (2016). Building loss due to wildfire: Trends and future risk influences. CSIRO Bushfire Research. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au 
  1. Standards Australia. (2018). AS3959-2018: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Retrieved from https://www.standards.org.au