Cyclone season always brings uncertainty. The scale and impact of each season may vary, but ever-present is the threat of damage from wind, rain and flooding. It may not be needed every year, but preparedness is a great responsibility for property owners and managers across northern and coastal Australia.
In 2025, Cyclone Alfred caused widespread damage across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, leaving more than 300,000 homes and businesses without power and prompting the Insurance Council of Australia to declare an insurance catastrophe. Earlier in the season, Cyclones Neville and Lincoln also brought heavy rain, flooding and strong winds to coastal communities.
Understanding a property’s vulnerabilities before a cyclone hits can make a substantial difference in how well it withstands severe weather. A structural assessment offers a practical way for body corporates, insurers, and property managers to identify risks early and plan any reinforcement or maintenance work that could reduce the impact of future storms.
Why pre-season structural assessments matter
Once a cyclone is forecast, the window for proactive action closes quickly. Preparation ahead of the season, not during it, gives you the greatest chance to make a difference.
A pre-season structural assessment gives you a clear understanding of what your property could face before severe weather arrives. It can highlight vulnerabilities that aren’t obvious during day-to-day maintenance, such as weakened roof connections, ageing balconies, unbraced walls, or minor structural movement that could worsen under pressure.
Identifying these risks early lets you plan targeted maintenance or reinforcements rather than significant fixes after the damage has occurred. Small issues can easily become much larger and more costly problems during a cyclone. Finding and addressing them could save money, downtime and your property.
Your structural assessment can also help support insurance outcomes if a claim becomes necessary. When disaster assessment teams review post-cyclone damage, having a pre-season structural record helps them distinguish between pre-existing issues and new storm impacts—helping speed up claims and reduce the risk of disputes.
Ultimately, a structural assessment is a practical tool for reducing both physical damage and financial disruption across a property portfolio.
What a good structural assessment covers
The depth and focus of structural assessments can vary. To be useful for cyclone preparedness, a structural engineer’s report needs to go beyond a surface-level inspection and address how the building would perform under severe conditions.
A professional structural engineer report typically covers:
- The condition of key load-bearing elements, including walls, columns and footings
- The strength and stability of roof fixings, trusses and bracing systems
- Signs of structural movement, settlement or deterioration
- The condition of balconies, awnings and extensions, particularly in older buildings
- Compliance with current cyclone standards, where relevant
- Recommendations for maintenance, reinforcement or further engineering review
If vulnerabilities are identified, the structural engineer report should provide clear, practical advice on the next steps: immediate repairs, upgrades, or a more detailed engineering investigation.
Importantly, a structural assessment creates a baseline record. In the event of cyclone damage, this pre-event documentation can assist in both guiding repairs and supporting a smoother disaster assessment and insurance process.
A good structural assessment helps property owners and managers take targeted action to protect their assets and meet their duty of care to tenants, stakeholders and insurers.
How to plan structural assessments ahead of cyclone season
When is the best time to schedule a structural assessment?
Structural assessments are most helpful before the first major weather warnings are issued. Ideally, assessments should be scheduled at the start of the dry season or during routine property maintenance periods. This gives you enough time to act on any findings before cyclone risk peaks.
What should you ask for when engaging a consultant?
When booking a pre-season assessment, ask for a report that specifically considers cyclone resilience. It should cover key structural elements like roof fixings, wall bracing, and balconies—and assess how they would perform under high wind and heavy rain.
How often should assessments be repeated or updated?
Properties in cyclone-prone areas should have a structural assessment every few years—or sooner if there are major renovations or signs of movement, cracking or water damage.
Work with Morse Building Consultancy
At Morse Building Consultancy, we provide clear, independent structural assessments to help protect property portfolios ahead of cyclone season.
If you’re preparing for severe weather or need targeted reporting and advice, we’re here to help.