Cyclone Damage Restoration

Australian tropical cyclones are rated on a 1 to 5 scale by the Bureau of Meteorology. Category 1 (63–88 km/h gusts) causes minor damage to trees and caravans. Category 2 (89–124 km/h) causes significant damage to roofing, windows and vegetation. Category 3 (125–164 km/h) — classified as severe — causes roof sheeting loss, structural damage and power failures. Category 4 (165–224 km/h) causes significant structural damage including airborne debris and widespread destruction. Category 5 (over 225 km/h) causes the most extreme destruction — complete roof loss, collapse of walls and widespread devastation across entire communities.

Most Australian home and commercial insurance policies include cyclone and storm damage as a covered peril. Cover typically extends to wind damage, roof loss, structural failure, debris impact and water ingress caused by the cyclone. Storm surge and flood damage may be covered separately under the flood component of your policy. Our platform helps you document every detail — photographs, drone footage, moisture readings, structural assessments and a comprehensive scope of works — so your insurer receives a thorough, well-supported claim from day one.

Our contractor network provides 24/7 emergency response across cyclone-prone regions of Australia. Response times after a cyclone depend on the severity of the event, road accessibility and whether emergency services have cleared the area for safe re-entry. In most cases, IICRC-certified contractors can begin emergency make-safe work within 24 to 48 hours of the cyclone passing and the area being declared safe by authorities. During major events, we pre-position contractors and equipment to enable the fastest possible deployment.

Structural assessment begins with a safety inspection to determine whether the building is safe to enter. Engineers and qualified contractors then inspect foundations, load-bearing walls, roof structures and framing for damage. Drone photography provides high-resolution imagery of roof and upper-storey damage without requiring unsafe ladder access. Moisture mapping identifies water ingress behind walls and under floors. The assessment produces a detailed scope of works and cost estimate for insurance purposes.

Cyclones frequently cause significant flooding from storm surge, heavy rainfall and overflowing waterways. Flood water from cyclone events is almost always classified as Category 3 (black water) due to contamination from sewage, debris and chemical runoff. Do not re-enter a flooded property until authorities confirm it is safe. Our contractors deploy submersible pumps for rapid water extraction, followed by structural drying, decontamination and antimicrobial treatment. All flood-related restoration is documented separately for your insurance claim.

Yes. Australian Building Code requirements for cyclone-prone regions (Wind Region C and D) mandate specific construction standards including cyclone-rated tie-downs, reinforced roofing connections, impact-resistant windows and engineered structural bracing. Our IICRC-certified contractors work with structural engineers to ensure all restoration and rebuilding meets or exceeds these standards, giving your property improved resilience against future cyclone events.

Do not return to your property until authorities confirm the area is safe. Post-cyclone hazards include downed power lines, weakened structures at risk of collapse, contaminated flood water, sharp debris, displaced wildlife (including snakes) and asbestos exposure from damaged older buildings. Even when the exterior appears intact, hidden structural damage may make the building unsafe. An IICRC-certified contractor will perform a thorough safety assessment before any re-entry or restoration work begins.

Restoration timelines depend on the cyclone category and extent of damage. Minor Category 1 or 2 damage — such as lost roof sheeting, broken windows and water ingress — may be fully restored within 2 to 4 weeks. Severe Category 3 to 5 damage involving structural failure, complete roof loss, flooding and widespread debris impact can take 3 to 12 months for full restoration. Emergency make-safe work is completed first to secure and stabilise the property, with permanent repairs following once your insurance claim is approved.

Tropical cyclones primarily affect Australia's northern coastline from November to April. The highest-risk regions include the Queensland coast from Bundaberg to Cape York (including Cairns, Townsville and Mackay), the Northern Territory coast (Darwin and surrounding areas), and the Western Australian coast from Broome to Exmouth (including Port Hedland and Karratha). However, ex-tropical cyclones can track further south, affecting South East Queensland, northern New South Wales and inland regions with severe wind and rainfall.

While we do not provide accommodation directly, our platform helps expedite the insurance claim process so your insurer can arrange temporary accommodation under your policy. Most comprehensive home insurance policies include temporary accommodation provisions when your home is rendered uninhabitable by a covered event such as a cyclone. Our contractors prioritise emergency make-safe work to secure the property and begin the claims process as quickly as possible.