Cyclone season is part of life in Darwin and the Top End. The official Northern Territory cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, although severe weather can occur outside those dates. Preparing your home before a warning is issued gives you more time to make safe decisions.
This Darwin cyclone season checklist covers the jobs worth doing now, whether you own your home or rent.
1. Secure your yard before a cyclone warning
Walk around the property and look for objects that could become dangerous in strong winds.
- Trim dead or overhanging branches, using a qualified contractor where needed.
- Secure or store outdoor furniture, pot plants, tools, toys and loose building materials.
- Check sheds, fences, gates and carports for damage or loose fittings.
- Clear leaves and debris from gutters and stormwater drains.
- Decide where bins, trampolines and outdoor equipment will be secured when a warning is issued.
Do not leave yard work until a cyclone is approaching. Conditions may become unsafe and trades may be unavailable.
2. Check your Darwin home
Inspect the roof from a safe position and look for obvious damage. Check that doors, windows and shutters close properly. If you find loose roofing, damaged electrical fittings or structural issues, arrange a qualified professional to inspect them.
Know where your household power, water and gas isolation points are. Keep your insurance details somewhere easy to find and make sure you know how to contact your insurer if you need to ask about your cover.
3. Prepare a cyclone emergency kit
Keep your emergency kit somewhere easy to reach. Include:
- Drinking water and non-perishable food for your household.
- A manual can opener, first aid kit and essential medicines.
- Torch, spare batteries and a battery-powered radio.
- Charged power banks, phone chargers and spare cables.
- Important documents in a waterproof container.
- Supplies for babies, older family members and anyone with additional needs.
- Pet food, drinking water, leads, carriers and identification details.
Check the kit before each wet season and replace expired supplies.
4. Make a household cyclone plan
Decide where you will shelter, how household members will contact each other and what you will do if roads are cut or power fails. Know the safest room in your home and identify an alternative location if your home is not suitable for sheltering.
Use SecureNT’s cyclone preparation advice and follow official warnings from the NT authorities and Bureau of Meteorology. Do not rely on social media posts for emergency instructions.
5. What should tenants do before cyclone season?
For a rental home, share any visible property concerns with the property manager early. Examples include damaged fencing, roof leaks, loose fixtures, overhanging branches or blocked drains. For structural or electrical issues, leave assessment and repair work to qualified professionals. During severe weather, follow official emergency information first.
6. What should landlords do before the wet season?
Darwin landlords should make sure maintenance issues are identified and actioned before severe weather arrives. Review insurance details, check trees and drainage, and make sure tenants know how to report urgent repairs.
Abode Property Management works with landlords across Darwin, Palmerston, the rural area and Katherine. Call (08) 8932 7777 if you need to discuss a maintenance concern at a property we manage.
Useful official resource: NT cyclone advice.
