Cyclone season brings severe weather events that pose a major threat to construction sites across Australia. Tropical cyclones can bring high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding, causing extensive damage, equipment loss, and major project delays. Without a clear preparation plan, your site could be left vulnerable.

A cyclone warning can come with little time to prepare, making it essential to have safety measures in place long before a storm approaches. From securing loose materials to ensuring your team knows emergency protocols, early planning can help protect your site and reduce financial losses.

In this blog, we outline a few cyclone safety tips and must-dos in the lead-up to a cyclone or severe weather event, including how to safeguard critical equipment and mitigate risks to keep your project on track.

Storm and Cyclone Risk Assessments - Look at these key areas of your site

Preparing a construction site for a storm or weather event is only half the challenge – understanding how it may impact operations after the storm passes is just as critical. If a cyclone alert is issued and a storm causes major damage to surrounding residential areas, the clean-up process can be long and resource-intensive. Increased demand for construction suppliers, materials, and labour can lead to shortages, delaying project timelines and increasing costs.

Upended and damaged equipment from high winds

A category 4 or category 5 cyclone can bring destructive winds strong enough to upend or relocate heavy equipment like traffic signage, scissor lifts, and small EWPs, among many other equipment. If the wind doesn’t knock over equipment directly, flying debris such as roofing iron, loose tiles, or loose building materials can cause severe damage – removing attachments, denting machinery, or even leading to total write-offs.

Assessing storm damage risks for all on-site machinery and equipment is essential, ensuring that everything is properly secured before extreme weather hits. Additionally, understanding the terms of your hire company’s insurance coverage is critical in case any rented machines sustain damage during a storm.

Flooding on your construction site from rain and storm surges

One of the most damaging aspects of a cyclone crossing near a construction site is the impact of storm surges, storm tides, and heavy rain. These elements can cause extensive flooding, submerging machinery, building materials, and infrastructure under water.

To reduce risks, survey your site for low-lying areas and proximity to waterways – if equipment and critical inputs are inundated, cleanup efforts become costly and complex. Obtain past flood data from local governments, which often map flood-prone zones, so you can plan accordingly before a major weather event.

How to prepare your construction site for a cyclone

Preparing your construction site for natural disasters like cyclones is critical to minimising equipment damage, securing materials, and ensuring worker safety. High winds, storm surges, and wind borne debris can cause severe destruction, making early planning and fast action essential.

Follow this step-by-step guide to secure your site vehicles, materials, and structures before a cyclone makes landfall.

24-36 hours before landfall

1. Prepare to shut down your site about 24-36 hours before the intended storm landfall or cyclone crossing
2. Suspend all subcontractor work and confirm contract terms regarding weather-related delays.
3. Notify all contractors and suppliers about the impending closure and request that they halt all deliveries until further notice.
4. Move all materials and loose items to high ground or secure storage areas to prevent damage from storm surges or flooding.
5. Dispose of debris in a skip bin and contact waste removal services for immediate pickup to prevent dangerous airborne debris.
6. Request proof of insurance from main contractors to confirm coverage for machinery and materials on-site.
7. Relocate or secure all hazardous chemicals, fuel tanks, and other environmental hazards that could be compromised by heavy rain or flooding.
8. Ensure all portable toilets are anchored down or relocated to prevent them from becoming wind borne debris.
9. Clear stormwater drains to reduce the risk of localised flooding that could impact nearby infrastructure.

12-24 hours before landfall

1. Secure all signage, traffic signs, lighting and message boards to prevent them from being lifted by generating severe winds.
2. Lock all site vehicles and remove GPS units to prevent theft or damage.
3. Shut down electricity and gas lines to eliminate the risk of gas leaks and electrical fires.
4. Double-check your emergency kit and aid kit supplies to ensure your team has first aid materials, flashlights, and emergency contacts available.
5. Store additional construction supplies inside site sheds or adjacent buildings for protection from high winds and heavy rain.
6. Ensure that key site access points are properly barricaded to prevent unauthorised entry during the storm.

Immediately after the storm

1. Conduct a full damage assessment before resuming work to ensure that structures and equipment are stable.
2. Report hazards or blocked roads to the local council if public infrastructure is affected.
3. Check for gas leaks, structural weaknesses, and electrical faults before restoring power to the site.
4. Coordinate cleanup efforts, including debris removal, restoring drainage systems, and securing any remaining loose items.
5. Confirm material and equipment availability with suppliers, as demand may increase after natural disasters.

Securing certain items on your job site for a weather event – helpful tips

Portable toilets

Portable toilets can become flying missiles in strong winds, posing both safety and environmental hazards if their holding tanks rupture. To prevent them from being displaced:

• Weigh them down with blocks or sandbags.
• Tie them securely to a nearby sturdy structure.
• Park heavy machinery around them to shield against wind and debris.

Properly securing portable toilets minimises risks of contamination and damage during extreme weather events.

Traffic barricades

Traffic barricades, especially lightweight plastic models, can easily be lifted by strong winds and become hazards on roads and highways. To prevent them from being displaced:

• Fill them with water to increase weight and stability.
• Add additional sandbags if necessary.
• Move barricades to a sheltered area if possible.

Keeping traffic barricades secure ensures that road safety measures remain in place after the storm.

Cranes, excavators, EWPs & scissor lifts

Heavy equipment must be properly secured to prevent damage and reduce hazards during severe weather. If left unsecured, strong winds can cause serious damage to both machinery and nearby structures.

• To protect cranes, retract booms and allow tower cranes to weather vane (rotate freely with the wind).
• For excavators, secure buckets, lock cabs, and remove GPS units to prevent theft or damage.
• Ensure that elevated work platforms (EWPs) are parked on level ground and have stabilizers locked in place.
• For scissor lifts, lower platforms fully and secure the base to avoid tipping.

Following these precautions minimises the risk of equipment damage and ensures a safer worksite once the storm has passed.

Bad weather clauses in construction supplier contracts

Weather-related disruptions on construction sites can create complex contract challenges, particularly for equipment hire agreements and project timelines. While natural disasters such as storms and cyclones are classified as ‘acts of God’, construction businesses must still meet certain contractual obligations. Understanding wet weather clauses, damage waivers, and liability terms before a storm can help prevent unexpected costs.

Wet weather clauses

Most hire contracts place the responsibility on the hirer or contractor to cancel the day's hire due to wet weather. If the hirer does not notify the supplier within the required cancellation period—often 1-2 hours before the start of the shift—they will still be charged the minimum hire period.

For wet hire contracts, this typically means incurring 2-3 hours of operator and machine hire costs. In the case of dry hire, the hirer must officially ‘stand down’ the machine, meaning it will remain on-site until weather conditions improve. This still incurs:

• Hire minimums for the machine and any additional attachments.
• Labour-hire minimums for the operator, usually 3-4 hours.

Even if extreme rain, wind, or storm surges make work impossible, the hirer must actively cancel the hire or stand down equipment to avoid unnecessary costs.

Damage costs & waivers – Who pays for storm damage?

Most plant hire agreements include a damage waiver fee (typically 0.5% to 1% of the hire cost) to cover minor wear and tear, such as small dents, scratches, or bucket damage. However, these waivers do not cover significant damage from severe weather events like cyclones.

If a machine sustains substantial damage from flooding, flying debris, or high winds, the hire company’s insurer may attempt to shift liability to the hirer by assessing whether adequate precautions were taken before the cyclone hits. Insurers may ask:

• Was the machine secured in a safe location before the storm?
• Was the hirer given enough time to return the machine to the supplier’s depot?
• Were protective measures like retracting booms, removing GPS units, and anchoring the equipment followed?

To protect your business from liability claims, follow these best practices:

• Return hired machines to the supplier’s depot if time allows.
• Secure equipment properly following the cyclone preparation checklist.
• Document all precautionary measures taken before the storm hits.

While severe weather events are rare, failing to prepare can result in significant financial and legal risks for contractors and construction managers.

Find the right Equipment & services to weather any storm

Preparing your construction site for cyclone season requires the right equipment, contractors, and suppliers to ensure everything is secured, compliant, and ready to withstand severe weather events. Whether you need emergency site services, plant hire, or storm recovery solutions, iseekplant connects you with trusted suppliers across Australia.

From portable toilets and traffic control equipment to wet and dry hire machinery, our network of suppliers has the gear and expertise to help your site prepare for extreme weather.

Don’t wait until a cyclone warning—get the equipment and support you need today. Search iseekplant now to find reliable suppliers near you.