The 2026–27 Australian tropical cyclone season
Australia’s official tropical cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. The Bureau of Meteorology’s Australian tropical cyclone season monitoring shows that the Australian region averages around 10 tropical cyclones a season, with three to four making landfall at tropical cyclone strength. Since 2000, the seasonal average has been closer to eight or nine. Bureau of Meteorology tropical cyclone season monitoring
For November 2026 to January 2027, the Bureau’s latest long-range forecast indicates above-average rainfall is likely across parts of western, central and eastern Australia. It also notes that individual heavy rainfall events associated with tropical cyclones remain possible as the season develops. Bureau of Meteorology November 2026 to January 2027 outlook
For insurers, property owners and claims teams, however, the category assigned to a cyclone is only one part of the picture. Understanding cyclone intensity is useful, but determining what caused damage at an individual property requires site-specific evidence.
For Southeast Queensland, one of the most significant historical cyclone-related events was Tropical Cyclone Wanda in January 1974. Wanda crossed the coast near Double Island Point before weakening over land, with associated rainfall contributing to the major Brisbane floods that followed.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology historical tropical cyclone records.
For our friends outside of Australia, tropical cyclones are what you might call hurricanes or typhoons.
How are cyclones rated?
In Australia, tropical cyclones are classified using the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, which ranks them from Category 1 to 5 based on maximum sustained wind speeds.
Here’s what each category means:
Category 1:
- Wind speeds: 63–88 km/h (Gale-force winds)
- Minimal damage, but potential for strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Category 2:
- Wind speeds: 89–117 km/h (Strong winds)
- Moderate damage, risk of power outages, and damage to trees and signs.
Category 3 (Severe Cyclone):
- Wind speeds: 118–159 km/h (Destructive winds)
- Roof and structural damage to homes, trees uprooted, power outages.
Category 4 (Severe Cyclone):
- Wind speeds: 160–199 km/h (Very destructive winds)
- Significant structural damage, widespread power loss, high storm surge.
Category 5 (Severe Cyclone):
- Wind speeds: 200 km/h or more (Extremely destructive winds)
- Catastrophic damage, widespread destruction, severe storm surge.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) uses this system to assess and communicate risks, helping residents and emergency responders prepare for incoming storms.
What a cyclone category can and cannot tell you about building damage
A cyclone category describes the intensity of the weather system. It does not, on its own, establish what caused damage at a particular property.
Two buildings exposed to the same cyclone can experience very different outcomes. Local wind exposure, rainfall, debris impact, building age, roof and fixing condition, previous defects and maintenance can all influence the damage observed after an event.
For an insurance claim, the important question is therefore not simply how strong the cyclone was. It is whether the physical evidence at the property supports a connection between the event and the reported damage.
An independent building assessment may consider the pattern and direction of damage, evidence of water entry, the condition of roofing and fixings, pre-existing deterioration and any changes caused by make-safe or temporary repair works.
This is where the distinction between weather data and building evidence becomes important. Bureau data can establish the wider event conditions, but causation at an individual property still needs to be tested against what is found on site.
Cyclone categories and building design are not the same thing
Cyclone intensity categories and building design wind requirements are related to different questions.
The Australian tropical cyclone scale describes the intensity of the cyclone itself. Building design requirements consider the wind conditions a structure must be designed for, together with factors such as its location, wind region, terrain, shielding and building characteristics.
Under the National Construction Code, wind regions C and D are classified as cyclonic areas and relevant structural design requirements reference AS/NZS 1170.2.
For claims teams, this distinction matters. A reported cyclone category should not be used by itself to determine whether observed building damage is consistent with the event. The condition of the property, its construction and the physical damage evidence still need to be assessed.
Maximum wind speeds for building design
- Cyclonic regions (Region C & D): Must withstand winds up to 316 km/h (Category 5 equivalent).
- Non-cyclonic regions (Region A & B): Typically designed for up to 160 km/h, depending on local conditions.
Wind regions in Australia
- Region A (low wind area): Southern and inland areas (e.g., Melbourne, Adelaide).
- Region B (intermediate wind area): Coastal regions (e.g., Brisbane, Sydney, Perth).
- Region C (cyclonic area – severe winds): Northern coastal areas (e.g., Townsville, Broome).
- Region D (cyclonic area –extreme winds): Northern WA & NT (e.g., Darwin, Port Hedland).
Key building features for cyclone-prone areas
For regions C and D, those figures mean buildings need to feature:
- Stronger roofing and bracing to prevent uplift from extreme winds.
- Impact-resistant materials to reduce damage from flying debris.
- Cyclone-proof shutters for windows in high-risk zones.
- Storm surge protection for buildings near coastal areas.
Cyclone preparedness: What can you do?
Wherever you live along Queensland’s east coast, following cyclone precautions can keep you, your home, business and loved ones safe.
While northern Queenslanders are used to preparing for direct wind impacts, residents further south should never underestimate the flooding, winds and extreme rainfall that tropical cyclones can bring.
Here’s how to stay prepared:
- Regular building inspections: Ensure your roof, windows, and structural bracing meet cyclone standards, especially if you’re in Region C or D.
- Check your insurance: Some policies exclude flood damage, so review your coverage before storm season.
- Have an emergency plan: This includes evacuation routes, supplies (food, water, medication), and securing outdoor items before storms hit.
- Stay updated: Monitor BoM warnings and follow advice from emergency services.
What should claims teams document after cyclone damage?
After a cyclone or major storm, some of the most useful evidence can be available before repair work begins.
Where it is safe and practical, claims teams and property stakeholders should document:
- the original condition before temporary repairs or removal work
- the location and pattern of visible damage
- evidence of water entry and likely pathways
- damaged roofing, fixings, cladding and other building elements
- make-safe work and any materials removed or altered
- pre-existing deterioration, defects or maintenance issues observed during inspection
Make-safe work can be essential to protect people and property, but it can also alter the evidence available for a later causation assessment. Once roofing, linings or damaged materials have been removed, some of the original indicators may no longer be available.
For MBC, this is why early evidence preservation forms an important part of post-event assessment. The objective is to establish what happened and what the physical evidence supports before determining the appropriate repair response.
After a cyclone: establishing cause before repair
After a cyclone or major storm, the first question is not always what needs to be repaired. It may be what actually caused the damage.
Morse Building Consultancy provides independent disaster assessment and damage reporting for insurers, loss adjusters, brokers and property stakeholders following major weather events.
Our building consultants assess the site evidence, identify the extent and likely cause of damage and distinguish event-related impacts from pre-existing defects, deterioration or maintenance issues where the evidence allows.
Where required, the findings can then support a building report and scope of works setting out the appropriate rectification pathway.
If the assessment identifies questions involving structural adequacy, significant movement or structural failure, MBC can also coordinate a structural engineering assessment by a registered engineer.
The principle is straightforward: establish the evidence first, determine causation, then define what needs to be repaired.