Prepare your home for storm season
Guidance on how to make your home more resilient to severe storms. Preparing ahead can help reduce the chance of damage to your home and possible injuries.
How to prepare your home for a storm
Whether you live in your own home or you're a tenant, it's important to prepare your property before every storm season.
Complete as many of these tasks as possible to protect your home and surrounding properties.
Check your roof
Keep your roof in good condition.
- Check for leaks and loose tiles, metal roof sheets, eaves and screws.
- Clear gutters, downpipes and drains regularly to prevent blockages.
Make your home safer
You may need to shelter in your home during a storm.
- Determine the best room in your house to shelter during a severe storm. This would usually be the smallest room, with the least windows.
- Ensure your house has a safety switch.
- Protect your devices and appliances with surge protectors and lightning conductors.
- Identify where and how to turn off the mains supply for water, power and gas.
If you live in an area prone to severe storms:
- install metal screens or shutters on windows for greater protection from high winds.
- get a licensed builder to check your building's structural integrity against high winds.
Outside your home
Try to maintain your yard and balcony before storm season.
- Trim trees and overhanging branches.
- Clean up debris and dispose of green waste regularly.
- Secure loose items in your yard, balcony and around your home. Items like garden furniture and toys can become a hazard in strong winds.
- Remove items from around your home that might collect water and attract mosquitos. Find more information on preventing bites and mosquito-borne diseases at NSW Health.
If you have a rainwater tank:
- keep the roof catchment clear of overhanging branches and remove vegetation surrounding the tank.
- install first-flush diverters, leaf stoppers on downpipes, and gutter guards to help keep roof dirt and debris out of your rainwater tank.
- make sure your tank is properly sealed against high winds.
Further activities
There are additional steps you can take before a storm occurs.
- Prepare your home emergency plan.
- Maintain adequate home and contents insurance. Check your insurance policy is up to date.
- Prepare, or inspect, your emergency kit. Test batteries and check use-by dates on items like gloves and first aid supplies.
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion can occur quickly and create hazards for people and property during severe storms. It also impacts roads and other infrastructure. Visit the SES for information about coastal erosion, particularly if you live close to a beachfront or cliffs.
Information for tenants and landlords
To find out more about maintenance to a rental property visit Fair Trading NSW. Learn more about the obligations of tenants and landlords at Tenants' Union NSW.
If you have any concerns about the maintenance of a rental property, discuss this with the property manager or the property owner. Store copies of all communications in the cloud or on a storage device.