Storm Damage Emergency Checklist — What to Do After a Major Storm

The moments after a major storm are disorienting. Before you assess damage, confirm the storm has fully passed and it is safe to move around your property.

• Wait for the official all-clear: For severe thunderstorms, watch the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) app or radio for confirmation that the storm cell has passed. For cyclones, wait for the official all-clear from emergency services — do not assume the eye of a cyclone means the event is over.
• Avoid downed powerlines: Stay at least 8 metres clear of any downed or damaged powerlines — treat all lines as live. Call your electricity network immediately. Do not attempt to move lines or approach fallen trees or debris that may be in contact with powerlines.
• Check structural integrity before entering: Look at the roofline, walls, and visible structural elements from outside before entering the building. If the roof appears to have shifted, walls have cracked significantly, or ceiling is visibly sagging, do not enter without a structural assessment.
• First-hour priority actions: Once confirmed safe — check for gas leaks (evacuate and call your gas provider if you smell gas), check whether the roof has been breached with active water ingress, and secure loose objects that could cause further damage in aftershocks or ongoing wind.

Your smartphone is your most important tool right now. Comprehensive, timestamped photographic evidence is the foundation of your insurance claim. Photograph before any cleanup — even temporary safety measures.

• Roof damage: Photograph from a safe angle at ground level — do not access the roof. A drone, elevated position, or neighbour's vantage point can help capture the full extent. Capture displaced, missing, or cracked tiles and any visible membrane damage.
• All interior rooms: Walk through every room and photograph the ceiling, walls, and floor of each space. Even rooms without obvious damage — water can migrate through the structure and appear days later.
• Water entry points: Photograph where water has entered — damaged windows, roof penetrations, wall breaches. This evidence establishes the link between storm damage and interior water damage.
• Contents and belongings: Photograph all damaged contents in the position you found them. Do not move or discard anything until photographed.
• External structures: Photograph fences, sheds, carports, pools, and outbuildings. These are often separately assessed by insurers.
• Vehicles if applicable: If a vehicle was damaged by the storm on your property, photograph it in situ before moving. Vehicle claims typically go through comprehensive motor insurance — corroborating evidence from the property strengthens the overall storm narrative.

Lodge your claim as soon as your immediate documentation is complete — ideally within 24 hours of the storm event. Most policies require notification as soon as reasonably practicable.

• Notify your insurer within 24 hours: Call or lodge online. Provide the date and time of the storm, a description of observed damage, and the steps you have taken to mitigate further damage. Keep the description factual — do not estimate repair costs.
• Obtain your claim number: Record this immediately — it is your reference for all subsequent communication. Every call, email, and contractor contact should reference this number.
• Request make-safe if needed urgently: If the roof is breached and rain is forecast, request make-safe (emergency tarping) as part of your claim. Insurers expect you to prevent secondary damage — lodge the make-safe request and proceed without waiting for assessor approval.
• Preferred contractor request process: Under the General Insurance Code of Practice, you have the right to request an IICRC-certified contractor of your choice for restoration work. Submit your claim through Disaster Recovery to be matched with a vetted NRPG contractor for your area.

The most expensive storm damage is often not the primary impact — it is the secondary water damage and mould that follows when the property is not properly secured and dried within the first 24 hours.

• Emergency tarping: A breached roof must be tarped before the next rain event. Your NRPG contractor carries emergency tarping supplies and can secure the roof as part of the initial make-safe response.
• Water extraction if water is inside: If rain or stormwater has entered the building, commercial extraction equipment removes it far faster and more thoroughly than domestic methods. Every hour of standing water increases saturation of building materials.
• IICRC drying setup: After extraction, commercial air movers and dehumidifiers are deployed based on a moisture map. Structural drying begins immediately and is monitored daily until materials return to acceptable moisture levels.
• Antimicrobial treatment for Category 2 water: Stormwater that has entered through roof damage or windows is classified as Category 2 (grey water) due to debris and contamination. Antimicrobial treatment is applied to all affected surfaces before drying equipment is deployed.
• Mould prevention window — 48 hours: Mould can begin establishing on damp organic materials within 24–48 hours in warm, humid conditions. Professional drying equipment running within 24 hours of the water intrusion event is the best protection against mould growth and the significantly higher remediation costs it brings.