We’re well into cyclone season on the Sunshine Coast, and while we don’t see the direct hits that Far North Queensland gets, severe weather events are a real possibility through to the end of April. Heavy rain, damaging winds, and localised flooding affect homes from Noosa down to Caloundra every season.

Preparation isn’t just about storm shutters and emergency kits. A lot of what protects your home during severe weather comes down to cleaning and maintenance tasks that are easy to overlook until it’s too late. Here’s the checklist we recommend to our clients, drawn from years of helping Sunshine Coast families get their homes storm-ready.

Gutters and Downpipes

This is the single most important task on the list. Blocked gutters cause more storm damage on the Sunshine Coast than most people realise.

When gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, heavy rainfall has nowhere to go. Water overflows, pools against the fascia, seeps into the roof cavity, and runs down walls. In a severe downpour - the kind that dumps 100mm in an hour, which happens a couple of times each season - blocked gutters can cause thousands of dollars in water damage.

Clean all gutters thoroughly. Remove leaves, twigs, seed pods, and accumulated silt. Check that downpipes are clear by running water through them. Make sure the ground-level drainage points aren’t blocked by garden mulch or debris.

If you’ve got trees overhanging your roof - common in Buderim and Nambour where the vegetation is thick - check gutters monthly through the wet season, not just once.

External Drains and Stormwater

Walk around your property and locate every external drain grate. Clear them of leaves, dirt, and anything else that’s accumulated. Check that the drainage channels around your driveway and paths are clear.

In many Sunshine Coast homes, particularly in Maroochydore and Mooloolaba where properties are closer together, the stormwater system is designed for moderate rainfall. When it’s overwhelmed, water backs up quickly. Keeping inlet points clear makes a significant difference.

If you have a courtyard or patio with a floor drain, clean it out completely. These are notorious for clogging with outdoor debris and then flooding the area during heavy rain.

Windows, Screens, and Seals

Check every window and sliding door for seal integrity. Run your hand around the edges and feel for gaps. Old weather seals dry out and shrink in the Queensland heat, leaving gaps that let wind-driven rain inside.

Clean window tracks thoroughly. The tracks in sliding windows and doors accumulate dirt and grit that prevents them from closing tightly. A toothbrush and some soapy water works well for this. Make sure every window latches properly - an unsecured window in high wind is a serious hazard.

Check flyscreen condition. Torn or loose screens won’t survive strong wind and can become projectiles. Either repair or remove damaged screens before severe weather arrives.

Outdoor Furniture and Loose Items

This is less about cleaning and more about common sense, but it fits the preparation process. Walk your property and identify everything that could become airborne in strong wind.

Outdoor furniture, pot plants, garden ornaments, children’s toys, trampolines, shade sails, and anything else not bolted down needs a plan. Either move it inside, secure it to a fixed structure, or lay it flat in a protected area.

For larger items like outdoor dining settings, the best approach is to clean them (salt air and humidity cause faster deterioration if grime is left sitting) and then store them in the garage or laundry during storm warnings.

Garage and Storage Areas

The garage tends to become a dumping ground, and cyclone season is a good reason to clean it out. You need space to bring outdoor items inside quickly when a storm warning is issued.

Clear the floor so you can actually use the space. Organise shelving so that heavy items are low and light items are high - if shelving falls, you want the heavy stuff already near the ground.

Check the garage door seal. Most Sunshine Coast garage doors have a rubber seal at the bottom that degrades over time. If it’s cracked or missing, wind-driven rain will push water under the door and across the floor.

Roof Inspection

You don’t need to get on the roof yourself - in fact, please don’t unless you’re confident and equipped. But a visual inspection from ground level with binoculars can spot obvious issues.

Look for lifted or cracked tiles, gaps in ridge capping, and any visible rust on metal roofing. Check that the TV antenna, solar panels, and any roof-mounted equipment are firmly secured. If anything looks questionable, call a roofer now rather than after the storm when every tradesperson on the Coast is booked out for weeks.

Clean any moss or lichen growth from tiles. It looks harmless but it traps moisture and can work its way under tiles over time, especially when combined with heavy rain and wind.

Interior Preparation

Inside the house, focus on areas vulnerable to water intrusion.

Move valuable items and electronics away from windows and external walls, particularly in rooms that face the prevailing storm direction (typically northeast on the Sunshine Coast).

Check ceiling access points and ensure the manhole cover sits properly. In older homes around Nambour and Caloundra, ceiling access covers can be loose, allowing water that enters the roof space to drip into living areas.

Clean ceiling exhaust fans in bathrooms and the range hood in the kitchen. These vent to the exterior and can allow water ingress if the external flap doesn’t seal properly.

Emergency Cleaning Supplies

Assemble a post-storm cleaning kit and keep it accessible. You’ll want: old towels for mopping water, a wet/dry vacuum if you have one, heavy-duty bin bags, rubber gloves, disinfectant (floodwater is contaminated), and a bucket with mop.

If you use eco-friendly cleaning products - as we recommend - make sure your disinfectant is effective against bacteria and mould. After water intrusion, proper disinfection is more important than being gentle on surfaces.

Timing Matters

Don’t wait until a cyclone warning is issued to do this work. By then, hardware stores are stripped bare and every tradesperson is unavailable. The best time to prepare is a calm weekend in February or early March.

Spend a Saturday morning working through this list. Most of it is straightforward cleaning and maintenance that you can handle yourself. For gutters on two-storey homes and roof inspections, bring in professionals.

The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful place to live, and most seasons pass without a direct cyclone hit. But severe weather events - heavy rain, strong winds, and flash flooding - are part of life here. A few hours of preparation and cleaning can save you days of cleanup and thousands in damage repair.