• / Blog
  • / Planning for Cyclone Alfred – Wind, Rain & Storm Surges

Planning for Cyclone Alfred – Wind, Rain & Storm Surges

  • Adroit Insurance and Risk
  • March 5, 2025

There is a high probability that Cyclone Alfred will make landfall this Thursday 6th March anywhere between Bundaberg to Byron Bay. At this stage weather guidance from the BOM indicates that the Sunshine Coast area seems more likely to receive the bulk of the weather however the effects can be wide reaching across a broad area including inland areas once the storm crosses the coastline. Some attributes to consider are:

  1. Wind damage(maybe up to 169km/h) is likely to cause damage to well built homes, infrastructure, with significant damage to trees, mobile/outdoor property including caravans/boats etc, fences and stock.
  2. Heavy to intense rainfallis forecast up to 600mm potentially causing localised flooding from storm water runoff and also flooding around creeks, rivers and canals.
  3. Severe coastal erosion, coupled with abnormally high tides and easterly swell a will likely cause storm surges and damaging surf between the Sunshine Coast QLD down to Byron Bay, Northern NSW.
  4. Significant risk of power failure due to falling trees and high winds.

Subsequently with a storm of this degree of severity we encourage you to start to prepare and plan for possible damage as well as downtime/disruption to your usual activities.

Know Your Area – Risks & Prepare

If you are in known areas vulnerable to water inundation act now to consider moving stock, plant and machinery to higher ground.

Here is a link to a good guide from Townsville City Council on steps you should consider taking.  Prepare for a Cyclone, Storm tide, King tide, Flood, Landslide etc.

Emergency Kits should include Water, Food, Tools & Supplies, First Aid Kit, Clothing & bedding, torch, batteries and back up power if available. Follow this link for more specifics: Emergency Kit Checklist

You can also review the Get ready Queensland website www.getready.qld.gov.au to follow updates and obtain information relative to emergency responses.

Time to Check Buildings and surrounds

If it is safe to do so, now is a good time to check roofs, windows and doors are able to handle storms. Clearing out gutters, trimming trees that are too close to buildings and remove or tie down loose objects around the yard.

Insurance

Keep a copy of your documents in your emergency kit in the event you need to report damage to your Risk Adviser.

If you have an opportunity, check the policy’s replacement values to ensure they are adequate. If any questions concerning your coverage or sums insured contact your Risk Adviser urgently to discuss.

Storm and rainwater damage is usually covered, however in some circumstances Flood is an optional extra, as is Business Interruption (Loss of Profits/Extra Costs of Reinstatement) for commercial policyholders. So make sure you understand what type of cover is in place and that it is appropriate for your needs.

Insurance Advisernet Preferred Emergency Contacts:

Should you suffer damage, we have the services of several make safe contractors as detailed below who can be contacted to report damage and initiate any emergency make safe works.

Campbell Construction Company
Emergency hotline 24-hours a day, 365 days a year: 1300 809 199
E: makesafe@campbellcc.com.au

Johns Lyng Group
Emergency hotline 24-hours a day, 365 days a year: 1300 831 094
E: brokerresponse@johnslyng.com.au

Pattersons Insurerbuild
Emergency hotline 24-hours a day, 365 days a year: 1300 722 272
E: office@buildgrp.com

Westaway/Aizer Insurance Builders
Emergency hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 07 5607 1677
E: advisernet@aizer.com.au

If injury of life-threatening circumstances arise please contact Emergency Services on ‘000’

The State Emergency Service (SES) is also available for non life threatening emergency assistance on 132 500.

Making a Claim

If you do suffered damage & you have your policy details handy, call your Adroit Risk Adviser who will be able to provide advice about claiming and your insurance cover.

Emergency Plans – Basics

  1. Monitoring local radio for updates on severe weather warnings in your district;
  2. Preparing a plan that includes key people contact info and their roles, including insurance details and adviser information;
  3. If appropriate understanding and rehearsing property evacuation procedures;
  4. Pre-packing an emergency kit that includes a portable radio, torch, spare batteries, first aid kit. Charge portable devices before the storm event hits;
  5. Having emergency equipment on standby (e.g. tarpaulins, rope, nails, hammer, timber, sandbags) to protect plant, stock and other building contents in the event that the storm damages roof or wall structures.
  6. Isolating water, gas and electrical power supplies when severe storms are forecast to prevent further damage and personal injury from ruptured pipes or fallen power lines.

Contact your Adroit Risk Adviser if you have any further questions:
https://adroit.com.au/contact-us/