Storm Preparedness Guide
Practical steps to prepare before severe weather, stay safer during a storm and recover afterwards.
PrepMates preparedness resource
Printable Storm Guide
Save it, print it or keep a copy with your emergency supplies.
View Printable GuideSevere weather can change quickly.
Storms can bring damaging winds, heavy rain, lightning, hail, flooding, fallen trees and power outages. Preparing your home and household before severe weather arrives can help reduce risk and make unexpected disruptions easier to manage.
Current instructions from weather, emergency, police and local authorities should always take priority over general preparedness guidance.
Prepare before severe weather arrives.
Know how you will receive warnings, reduce hazards around your property and have supplies ready in case power, communications or local services are disrupted.
Know your local risk.
Learn where to receive official severe weather warnings and understand whether your area may also be vulnerable to flash flooding, damaging winds or fallen trees.
Prepare your property.
- Secure or bring in loose outdoor items
- Check outdoor furniture and equipment
- Trim weak or overhanging branches where appropriate
- Keep gutters and drains clear
- Move vehicles undercover where practical
- Keep pets and animals somewhere secure
Make a household plan.
Decide how your household will communicate and what you will do if severe weather affects your home or local area.
- Know your safest place indoors
- Plan for possible power outages
- Know alternative routes if travel is required
- Include medications and mobility needs
- Plan for pets and animals
Keep essentials ready.
- Drinking water
- First aid and medications
- Emergency radio
- Torches and lighting
- Backup phone power
- Long-life food
- Important documents
- Personal and pet supplies
Choose the right setup.
Prepare for both sides of severe weather — having supplies ready at home and having a portable kit available if you need to relocate or evacuate.
Evacuation ready.
Backpack-based emergency kits designed to keep essential supplies together if you need to leave home quickly.
Buddy Emergency Kit
A two-person emergency backpack designed to keep essential supplies together for evacuations, severe weather and unexpected disruptions.
View Buddy Kit →
Crew Emergency Kit
A four-person emergency backpack with essential supplies ready for families preparing for evacuation, storms and other emergencies.
View Crew Kit →Home & extended storm preparedness.
Larger setups for households preparing for severe weather, power outages and periods where normal services may be disrupted.
Ultimate Storm Bucket
A dedicated severe-weather kit for up to four people, combining emergency lighting, radio, backup power, first aid, water storage and other storm essentials inside a compact waterproof bucket.
View Storm Bucket →
8-Person Mega Emergency Kit
A comprehensive emergency supply setup for larger households and groups, with substantial lighting, power, first aid, water, shelter, tools and supporting supplies packed together in a heavy-duty storage crate.
View Mega Kit →Need individual storm essentials?
Browse emergency radios, torches, backup power, first aid, water storage, tarps, tools and other useful preparedness supplies.
Stay sheltered and stay informed.
Stay safely indoors.
Stay inside where possible and keep away from windows, glass doors and other areas that could be affected by wind-blown debris or broken glass.
Monitor warnings.
Keep up to date through official weather and emergency alerts. A battery, crank or solar-powered radio can provide another source of information if power or internet services fail.
Avoid unnecessary travel.
Conditions can change quickly during severe weather. Avoid flooded roads, fallen trees, damaged infrastructure and areas affected by emergency closures. Follow local authority instructions if you are advised to relocate or evacuate.
Take care when the storm has passed.
Check for immediate hazards.
Watch for fallen or damaged powerlines, unstable trees, broken glass, damaged buildings, floodwater and debris. Keep children and pets away from affected areas.
Check on others.
When it is safe to do so, check on neighbours, family members or others nearby who may need additional support.
Document and recover.
Photograph storm damage where safe, contact your insurer if required and follow local advice regarding damaged utilities, drinking water, food safety, clean-up and recovery.
Storm checklist.
Before
- Know where to receive warnings
- Make a household emergency plan
- Secure loose outdoor items
- Check trees and branches
- Clear gutters and drains
- Prepare emergency supplies
- Charge phones and power banks
- Bring pets somewhere secure
During
- Stay safely indoors
- Keep away from windows
- Monitor official warnings
- Keep emergency lighting nearby
- Use backup radio if required
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Follow emergency instructions
After
- Watch for fallen powerlines
- Avoid damaged trees and buildings
- Stay clear of floodwater
- Check on others where safe
- Photograph property damage
- Contact your insurer if required
- Follow local recovery advice
Take the guide with you.
Save the visual Storm Guide to your phone, print a copy or keep one with your emergency supplies.
View Printable GuideFollow advice for your location.
Severe weather warnings and emergency arrangements vary by region. Always use official local sources for current weather conditions, warnings and emergency instructions.
Australia
Follow Bureau of Meteorology warnings together with your state or territory emergency service, police and local emergency authority advice.
New Zealand
Follow MetService weather warnings, Civil Defence, Get Ready NZ and local emergency authority advice.
Be prepared. Stay informed.
PrepMates provides general preparedness information. Always follow current instructions from weather, police, emergency management, health and other relevant authorities for your location.