Stay Informed and Register for Local Alerts

Monitor the Bureau of Meteorology forecast, radar and official warnings rather than relying only on social media posts or messages shared by other people.

The Bureau classifies a thunderstorm as severe when it may produce large hail of at least two centimetres, damaging wind gusts of at least 90 kilometres per hour, a tornado or heavy rain capable of causing flash flooding.

Brisbane residents can also register for the free Brisbane Severe Weather Alert service. Alerts can cover severe thunderstorms, destructive winds, cyclones, creek flooding, tidal flooding and other local events.

• Install or update the BOM Weather app.
• Check that notification permissions are enabled.
• Register home, work and family addresses for Council alerts where available.
• Know where to find your local council’s disaster dashboard.
• Keep a battery-powered radio available in case mobile and internet services fail.

Secure Outdoor Items Before Strong Winds Arrive

Outdoor furniture, garden tools, toys, bins, pot plants and unsecured building materials can become dangerous projectiles during severe winds.

Move smaller items indoors or into a secure shed. Tie down or relocate larger items that cannot be brought inside, and check that gates, shade structures and temporary garden features are properly secured.

• Store trampolines, umbrellas and lightweight furniture securely.
• Remove loose materials from decks and balconies.
• Secure bins and garden equipment.
• Move vehicles under suitable cover where hail is forecast.
• Check that pets have a secure indoor or sheltered area.

Prepare an Emergency Kit and Household Plan

Queensland emergency guidance recommends preparing supplies for at least three days in case electricity, water, transport or access to shops is disrupted.

Your kit should include:

• drinking water and non-perishable food;
• essential medications and a first aid kit;
• torches, spare batteries and a battery-powered radio;
• mobile phone cables and a charged portable power bank;
• important documents stored in waterproof packaging or secure digital storage;
• cash, toiletries, sturdy footwear and protective gloves; and
• food, medication, leads or carriers for pets.

Queensland’s emergency kit checklist provides a useful starting point.

Your household plan should identify emergency contacts, two meeting locations, essential medical information and what each person will do if you need to shelter or evacuate.

Inspect Trees and Overhanging Branches Early

Trees should be inspected before severe weather is imminent. Once strong winds, heavy rain or lightning have arrived, tree work may be unsafe or impossible.

Warning signs that deserve professional attention include:

• dead, broken or hanging branches;
• cracks or splits in the trunk or major limbs;
• overextended branches above roofs, driveways or outdoor areas;
• recent storm damage or previous branch failures;
• exposed, damaged or lifting roots;
• a sudden or increasing lean;
• soil movement around the base of the tree; and
• branches growing close to powerlines.

Appropriate work may include deadwood removal, selected branch reduction or improving clearance. Excessive lopping does not make a tree automatically safer and can leave it stressed or unbalanced.

Check the Roof, Gutters and Drainage

Loose roof materials and blocked drainage can increase damage during heavy rain and strong winds.

Before storm season:

• have loose tiles, roof sheets, flashings and fixings repaired;
• clear leaves and debris from gutters and downpipes;
• check that water can drain away from the building;
• remove debris from surface drains and grates;
• inspect skylights, awnings and external fixtures; and
• confirm that home, contents and vehicle insurance details are current.

Work at height can be dangerous. Engage an appropriately qualified contractor where roof access or repairs are required.

Know When to Shelter, Evacuate or Call for Help

Your emergency plan should identify the safest room in the home, where you will go if evacuation is directed and how you will move children, older family members, pets and essential medication.

Never drive through floodwater. Follow evacuation and emergency instructions issued by authorities, and leave early where directed rather than waiting until roads or access become unsafe.

• Call 000 for a life-threatening or critical emergency.
• Call the Queensland SES on 132 500 for storm and flood assistance.
• Treat fallen or damaged powerlines as live and keep well away.
• Do not stand beneath damaged or suspended branches.
• Photograph property damage only when it is safe to do so.