The awkward time to discover a flat torch battery is when rain is blowing against the windows. The same goes for a missing pet carrier or an emergency bag buried behind Christmas decorations.
A storm-season checklist should cover supplies and the small jobs that make those supplies usable. Work through it before severe weather is forecast, then keep a shorter list for the day a warning arrives.
Start with your address, rather than a generic shopping list
A ground-floor home near a creek and an upstairs apartment may face different problems. Check local flood information, your council’s disaster dashboard and the warnings relevant to your area.
Get Ready Queensland recommends saving your council’s disaster dashboard so it is easy to find. Write down an alternative contact method too, in case your phone or internet is unavailable.
Talk through where you would go if you had to leave, how you would get there and what you would do with pets. Do not assume an evacuation destination can accommodate every animal or every medical need; check the arrangements in advance.
Your storm supplies: check these first
- Lighting: working torches or headlamps, a room lantern and the batteries or cables they require.
- Communication: a charged power bank, battery radio and written contact list.
- Food and water: a household supply that does not depend entirely on refrigeration or outdoor cooking.
- Personal essentials: medicines, first-aid supplies, hygiene items and suitable clothing.
- Wet-weather organisation: bags for clothes, protected document copies and a reachable grab bag.
- Pet supplies: carrier or lead, food, water and any necessary medicines.
For quantities and a fuller list, use our Australian household emergency kit guide. Keep this storm checklist focused on what needs checking or moving.
Do the property jobs while the weather is calm
Inspect from a safe position for obvious roof damage, loose fittings and blocked drainage. Arrange suitable help for roof work, gutters or tree work you cannot safely do yourself. Renters should report maintenance problems to their property manager early.
Get Ready Queensland’s home preparation advice covers gutters, roof condition and overhanging branches. If branches are near powerlines, contact the electricity distributor rather than attempting the job.
Make a list of loose outdoor items that would need securing: chairs, umbrellas, toys and garden tools. In a unit, include the balcony and ask building management about shared areas. Planning where these things will go is easier than improvising when the weather is already changing.
When severe weather is forecast
While conditions are still safe, charge devices, bring the kit within reach and secure the outdoor items on your list. Make sure everyone knows the household plan, including whoever is away at work or school.
A 10-litre roll-top dry bag can help keep a change of clothes together. It is a useful organiser, but follow its closure instructions and use additional protection for important documents and electronics.
If rainwear is missing from your grab bag, our five-pack of disposable rain ponchos is an option to consider. Rainwear is for necessary movement in suitable conditions; it is not protection from floodwater, lightning or flying debris.
When a severe storm warning is issued
Get Ready Queensland’s storm guidance says to bring people and pets indoors, stay away from windows and follow official warnings. Do not use this stage to start roof repairs or retrieve equipment from an exposed yard.
Follow evacuation directions if issued. Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater. An emergency kit supports your plan; it does not make it safe to ignore a warning.
After the storm, restock before you forget
Check for hazards before going outside. Keep clear of fallen lines, unstable trees and damaged buildings, and leave dangerous repairs to qualified people.
Then record what worked. Was one lantern enough for the room? Was the bag too heavy? Replace used supplies and adjust the list while the experience is fresh. If you lost electricity, our power outage guide covers food and backup power decisions.