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Cyclones

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Learn what to do before, during and after a cyclone.

Cyclone impacts

Tropical cyclones are low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters and have gale force winds near the centre. They occur between November and April.

Cyclones are dangerous because they produce destructive winds, heavy rainfall with flooding, and damaging storm surges that can cause inundation of low-lying coastal areas.

Heavy rainfall associated with the passage of a tropical cyclone can produce extensive flooding.  

Emergency dashboard

View the latest emergency alerts for Brisbane.

Find road closures, power outages and service disruptions near you.

Check the emergency dashboard. 

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Before a cyclone

As a cyclone approaches, you should take these precautions to protect yourself and your family, your home and broader community.

Secure or remove anything that could be picked up in strong winds or swept up in storm water.

This may include:

  • outdoor furniture

  • children's play equipment 

  • tools

  • kerbside rubbish bins

  • barbecues.

Tie down sheds or other small structures not permanently fixed and secure caravans, boats and vehicles in your garage or tie them down to strong structures. 

  • Shelter your pets and animals.  

  • Secure doors and windows, and draw curtains.  

  • Put valuables, medications, spare warm clothing, etc. in plastic bags with your emergency kit.  

  • Disconnect electrical items and outside TV aerials, and turn off gas.

  • Fuel your car and park it undercover or cover it with tied tarpaulins/blankets.

Learn more about how to prepare for an emergency and how to use sandbags.

The Bureau of Meteorology provides regular updates once a low-pressure system (the forerunner of a cyclone) forms.  

It is important to be prepared and stay informed. Sign up to receive Brisbane Severe Weather Alerts and visit Council’s emergency dashboard for real-time severe weather information.  

A battery-powered radio and spare batteries should be part of your emergency preparations and included in your emergency kit.  

The ABC is the official emergency broadcaster and a critical source of information, especially if other communication channels are impacted by loss of power or internet.

Find more information on how to prepare for an emergency.

During a cyclone

It's important to consider where you will shelter during the cyclone, whether in your own home or elsewhere.

Choose the strongest area of your home, with few or small windows. The bathroom or internal hallways are good options. Use mattresses and blankets to protect yourself.

Your household emergency kit will be your lifeline during and after the cyclone, with the food, water and other items you will need. Make sure to have it with you.

If you live in an older property, or are not comfortable sheltering at home, have an arrangement to stay with family or friends.

The centre, or 'eye' of the cyclone, is a period when conditions may ease. If the wind drops, the cyclone is not over. Violent winds will soon resume from another direction.

Wait for the official all clear and stay safe inside.

Find more information on how to respond to an emergency.

After a cyclone

There are a number of things to consider before leaving or returning to your home after a cyclone has passed.

Stay indoors until authorities give the all clear to leave your home. Do not turn on electricity, gas or water until suppliers have advised it is safe to do so.

When you can leave your home, be careful of debris and fallen power lines. Avoid flood water, which could be contaminated with chemicals or sewerage.

Emergency services will conduct Rapid Damage Assessments of properties and advise residents when it is safe to return to their homes.

Do not return to your home until you have been advised it is safe.

Recovery hubs will bring together government agencies, insurance companies and other support services such as the Red Cross, so residents can access assistance.

Locations will be announced when hubs are opened. 

Find more information on disaster recovery.

Storm surge

Storm surge is a significant rise in the ocean level, caused by an approaching cyclone. Water can be pushed far inland over an extended period of time, or in strong, destructive waves.

Not all cyclones will generate storm surge. If storm surge is predicted, you may be advised to evacuate.

Stay informed by monitoring the Bureau of Meteorology website, Council’s emergency dashboard and local media. 

If storm surge is predicted, people in storm surge areas may be advised to evacuate.

If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Don't wait. Leave yourself plenty of time; there will be a lot of other people evacuating at the same time and roads may be congested.

Your first and best option if you have to evacuate is to stay with family, friends or colleagues outside the storm surge inundation area, or to leave the affected area early.

Evacuation facilities

Evacuation facilities will be open for people who are unable to stay in their home or have nowhere else to go. These facilities are designed to accommodate as many people as safely possible and provide basic services. The best option is to stay with family and friends outside the affected areas.

Recovery hubs

Recovery hubs bring together government agencies, insurance companies and other support services such as the Red Cross, so residents can access assistance. 

Council will announce locations of these facilities. Find more information on Council’s emergency dashboard.

Returning home

Following the cyclone that causes the storm surge, emergency services will conduct Rapid Damage Assessments of properties and advise residents when it is safe to return to their homes. Do not return to your home until you have been advised it is safe.

Vulnerable residents   

Residents who are frail, aged and/or have a disability should refer to their Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit. People are the best experts at knowing what they need. P-CEP can help people who are ageing at home, have a mental illness, a chronic health concern and other support needs.  

P-CEP was co-designed by people with disability, carers, community organisations, emergency services and researchers. But as a tool, it can be used by anyone or any household.  

Council is committed to working with all people to increase personal awareness, resources, and ability to prepare for and weather any crisis in their life, including natural disasters.