AusGuard Insurance Advisors

Wind region

The wind region you live in will impact the building codes for your property, which is important if you are building a new home or retrofitting an existing home. To find your wind region contact your local council or Standards Australia.

There are four different wind regions (Region A – D) across Australia that have different building code requirements. Region D is the area considered most prone to severe tropical cyclones, while Region A is considered to be at minimal risk of cyclone wind impact. It’s important to note that these broad wind regions are used to determine the minimum building standards. However, the risk of cyclones can vary across each region.

Wind classification

In addition to wind regions, there are wind classifications that determine location specific building requirements. This is determined for individual properties so you could have a different wind classification to your neighbour. It’s important to understand your own wind classification when considering retrofitting or building a new home. Your wind classification There are several different wind classifications for each individual property that take into consideration:

• Your wind region

• Shielding: Where surrounding properties or structures may shield a property.

• Terrain: Surrounding buildings, trees, vegetation or bodies of water near your property that may affect the flow of wind.

• Topography: Where a property is located. For example, a property on the top of a hill would be more exposed than one on a flat area.

Tip: A good way to assess your wind classification is by how good the views are from your windows. Do you look out from the top of a hill, or have an uninterrupted view overlooking a park or the ocean? The better your view, the more likely you are to experience higher wind speeds which may give you a higher wind classification. To find out more: watch this video from the Cyclone Testing Station.

The higher the wind classification, the more at-risk a property is of higher wind speeds.

C1: Properties shielded on all sides by buildings.

C2: Properties partially shielded by other buildings.

C3: Properties near large exposed open areas (e.g. ocean, rivers, treeless plains) or on sloping sites/ hills with some other buildings nearby.

C4: Properties that are very exposed to the wind (e.g. on steep hills with unobstructed views).

Impacts of tropical cyclones

Destructive winds can lead to both direct and indirect damage to buildings. Directly, they can cause structural harm, while indirectly, they may allow water to infiltrate, resulting in water damage and ongoing issues such as mould and electrical problems.

Storm surge, the sudden increase in sea level beyond the expected tide, can lead to considerable flooding in coastal regions, potentially extending for hundreds of kilometres. Storm tide, which combines the surge with the regular tide, can elevate water levels above typical high tide and cause flooding many kilometres inland.

Additionally, airborne debris driven by powerful winds poses risks to property and human safety. Other impacts include severe river flooding, flash flooding, coastal erosion, and overall damage to the environment.

Cyclones can cause damage in areas that are often thousands of kilometres away from where they make landfall. For instance, when Cyclone Debbie hit near Airlie Beach, the effects of the tropical low continued to move southward, resulting in considerable damage and flooding in other regions of South East Queensland and northern New South Wales, located approximately 1,300 kilometres away.

Preparing for a cyclone

How to tape up your windows with a plastic waterproof sheet

The plastic sheet should be completely taped down across the bottom of the window and the sides to prevent water from entering your home. The top of the plastic sheet doesn’t need to be completely taped down but should be held in place with a few sections of tape.

• Monitor the weather frequently during cyclone season.
• Develop an emergency plan.
• Prepare an emergency kit and ensure all family members know its location.
• If a cyclone is approaching, secure or store any loose items on your property to prevent them from being picked up by the wind, which can cause damage and pose risks to safety.
• Use plastic tarps or waterproof sheets to cover windows, and tape the bottoms of glass doors to minimise water intrusion from wind-driven rain.
• Install temporary shutters over windows and other openings that may be vulnerable to flying debris.
• Position sandbags at external door entrances if there is a risk of flash or river flooding.
• Secure vehicles, caravans, and boats as much as possible.

Insurance tips when dealing with these natural disasters

• Verify that you have home building and contents insurance, ensuring your policy is current. Make sure it includes coverage for water damage and considers any additional structures on your property, like sheds.
• Confirm that you have suitable insurance for any vehicles, boats, or caravans present on your property.
• Utilise an online insurance calculator to help determine the appropriate amount to insure your home.
• If you reside in an older building, particularly one constructed before 1980, account for any extra costs related to adhering to current building codes when repairing or renovating your home.
• Ensure you have adequate coverage for ‘removal of debris,’ which includes clean-up expenses following a cyclone.
• Check that your insurance policy provides coverage for temporary accommodation should you be unable to live in your home due to cyclone damage.
• If you own a small business, verify that you are insured against the costs of business interruption resulting from a cyclone impacting your property. If you have any questions or concerns related to your business insurance in the wake of cyclone Alfred, our team of experienced brokers are here to help you. Contact AusGuard Insurance Advisors today.