Prepare Your Home for an Australian Winter Storm

Winter weather can affect almost every Australian household, although the risks vary widely. Tasmania, Victoria’s alpine districts and parts of New South Wales may experience snow, ice and freezing temperatures, while Melbourne, Adelaide and southern Western Australia can face damaging winds, heavy rain and hail.

A well-prepared home is safer, easier to heat and less likely to suffer preventable damage. The most useful work usually happens before the Bureau of Meteorology issues a severe weather warning: inspect the roof, clear drainage, check emergency supplies and understand how to isolate household services.

Public infrastructure also matters. Blocked stormwater systems, fallen trees, damaged power lines and flooded roads can affect access to homes and interrupt water, gas, electricity or communications. Follow advice from your local council, the State Emergency Service and utility providers during an active event.

Households should also account for Australian living arrangements. Many homes use reverse-cycle air conditioning or gas heaters, some properties rely on rainwater tanks, and rental properties may need the owner or property manager to arrange repairs. Preparation should suit the building, occupants and local hazards.

Understand Your Local Winter Risks

Start by checking the hazards common in your suburb. Coastal areas may receive intense wind and rain, inland towns can experience frost and snow, and elevated locations may face ice, fallen branches and road closures. In parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales, winter storms can still bring hail and short, powerful downpours.

Sign up for official warnings and keep the BOM app or website accessible. State emergency agencies provide location-specific advice, including evacuation information and road conditions. In New South Wales, for example, the SES emergency number is 132 500 for storm and flood assistance, while life-threatening situations should always be reported to 000.

Inspect The Roof And Exterior

Before storm season, examine roof sheets, tiles, ridge caps, flashing, gutters and downpipes. Look for rust, loose fixings, cracked mortar and water stains in the ceiling. A licensed roofer should handle repairs that involve working at height, particularly on steep or wet surfaces.

Trim branches that overhang the house, but use a qualified arborist for large or unstable trees. Bring in outdoor furniture, umbrellas, pot plants and lightweight decorations. Secure sheds, carports and temporary structures, and park vehicles away from trees, power poles and flood-prone areas where possible.

Windows and external doors should close firmly and have intact seals. If hail or wind damage is a concern, consider approved shutters or protective screens rather than improvised coverings. Never approach a fallen power line; keep people and pets away and contact the electricity distributor.

Protect Water, Gas And Drainage

Clear leaves from gutters, grates and stormwater entry points before heavy rain. Do not remove drain covers or enter flooded drains, as fast-moving water can conceal deep openings and electrical hazards. Check that downpipes discharge safely and do not direct water towards foundations, retaining walls or neighbouring properties.

Know where the mains water, electricity and gas isolation points are located. Make sure access is not blocked by stored goods or garden equipment, and label valves if several adults use the property. Households considering larger changes to plumbing, heating or other connections can review guidance on utility service upgrades before engaging a licensed contractor.

If your home uses a rainwater tank, inspect the lid, inlet screens and overflow before the storm. Keep drinking water stored in clean, covered containers if supply interruptions are possible. Do not use tap water after an official contamination warning unless it has been declared safe or treated according to health authority instructions.

Prepare For Power And Heating Outages

Create an outage kit with torches, spare batteries, a battery radio, power banks, first-aid supplies, blankets and several days of essential medication. Keep some cash available because electronic payments and ATMs may be unavailable. Store enough drinking water and shelf-stable food for household members, including babies and pets.

Use heaters exactly as directed. Never use a barbecue, camping stove, generator or outdoor gas appliance inside a home, garage or enclosed veranda because carbon monoxide can build up without warning. A portable generator must remain outdoors, well away from doors and windows, and must never be connected directly to household wiring unless installed through a compliant changeover system by a licensed electrician.

Before winter, clean reverse-cycle air-conditioner filters and arrange servicing for gas heaters. Australian state and territory rules require gasfitting and electrical work to be completed by appropriately licensed professionals. Test smoke alarms and replace batteries where applicable, while keeping a clear path to exits.

Manage Floodwater, Waste And Chemicals

Move important documents, electronics and valuables above floor level if the property is in a flood-prone area. Place vehicles on higher ground before roads become unsafe, and avoid driving through floodwater. Six centimetres of moving water can destabilise a person, while deeper water can move a vehicle.

Store paint, fuel, pesticides, pool chemicals and cleaning products in sealed containers on a high, stable shelf. Never pour chemicals into gutters, toilets or stormwater drains. If damaged containers need disposal, follow local council instructions and use this hazardous waste guidance to reduce the risk of fire, pollution and injury.

After the storm, photograph damage before cleaning up, provided it is safe to do so. Wear waterproof footwear and gloves, keep children away from debris and treat floodwater as contaminated. Contact your insurer, council or relevant utility provider about damaged infrastructure rather than attempting unsafe repairs.

Create A Household Response Plan

Agree on how the household will receive warnings, contact one another and leave if conditions worsen. Record emergency contacts on paper as well as in mobile phones. Include neighbours who may need assistance, particularly older residents, people with disability and anyone dependent on powered medical equipment.

Keep a printed list of medications, allergies, medical conditions and important account details in a waterproof folder. If water usage or a suspected leak needs checking before or after severe weather, an online water usage history can help identify unusual patterns, where that service is available.

Practical Preparation Checklist

• Check BOM warnings, local council updates and SES advice before the weather deteriorates.
• Inspect the roof, gutters, downpipes, trees, windows and outdoor structures.
• Store water, food, medicines, torches, batteries, blankets and pet supplies.
• Learn how to isolate water, gas and electricity, and keep access points clear.
• Charge phones and power banks, then avoid travel through flooded or damaged areas.

Keep the kit together in a dry, accessible place rather than distributing items across cupboards. Recheck supplies at the start of each winter and after any major storm, replacing expired food, flat batteries and medicines. A few planned steps can protect the home and make a severe weather response calmer and safer.