Cyclone Alfred is Coming – But Are Brisbane Homes Ready?
A leading structural engineer in Brisbane has warned homeowners that instead of stripping supermarket shelves of bread and water, they should be flocking to hardware stores to buy framing anchors, roofing screws, and stump tie-down brackets.
Brisbane hasn’t seen a wind event like this in more than 30 years, and this week will be a true test for some of the city’s oldest homes—as well as some of the newest. The wind load provisions for South-East Queensland are inherently lax, and follow-through by engineers and certifiers often leaves a lot to be desired. That means even recently built homes may be at risk of serious damage as Cyclone Alfred bears down on the southeast corner of Queensland.
A Structural Engineer’s Warning
Matt Cornell, a structural engineer who grew up in Mackay, North Queensland, trained at the renowned James Cook University in Townsville, the home of the Cyclone Testing Station. He has witnessed the devastation left behind by countless cyclones.
“When I visited Airlie Beach after Tropical Cyclone Debbie, the trees had been stripped of leaves, roofs on even some of the most modern buildings had been affected, and debris was absolutely everywhere. And that was two months after the cyclone had passed.”
Unfortunately, insurance companies and rectification builders are already stretched thin. Those who do exist often lack formal experience in rebuilding homes after a cyclone.
“You can’t simply rebuild a roof or a veranda to the same standard it was constructed years ago,” Mr Cornell said. “Standards have changed to reflect the increased risk of high winds, even in South-East Queensland. But those rules aren’t retrospective, and existing houses don’t need to be upgraded to comply with current standards. In fact, it’s almost impossible to guarantee that homes will remain unscathed if a cyclone hits Brisbane.”
Brisbane Homes at Risk
The incredible wind forces of a cyclone have often been described as the sound of a train roaring through the suburbs. These winds exert extreme pressure, particularly on the corners and edges of roofs. Older houses that rely on their sheer weight to stay in place are at risk of shifting on their foundations, collapsing walls, or losing their roofs entirely.
Some of the homes at greatest risk are traditional Queenslanders with verandas. Their rusty nails have all but completely deteriorated, their roofing screws have deformed and loosened in the old hardwood timber, and degraded structural members are already weakened. The fasteners holding these structures together are literally hanging on by a thread.
Yet, instead of reinforcing their homes, most Brisbane residents are focused on stocking up on bread and bottled water.
Prioritising the Right Preparations
“What’s a bottle of water going to do for you if you don’t have a roof?” Mr Cornell asked. “There are more important things to worry about right now.”
With just days remaining before Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall, homeowners still have time to add extra nails, screws, and bolts to secure their homes. These reinforcements aren’t just the realm of experienced builders—they can be installed by any handy homeowner.
“If I had to choose between a bottle of water or extra screws holding down my roof, I know what I would choose,” said Mr Cornell.
Act Now—Before It’s Too Late
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to cross the Queensland coast on Friday morning as a Category 2 storm, bringing damaging winds and torrential rain—the two worst threats to homes relying on rusty nails and 50-year-old concrete for lateral stability.
Rain softens the soil, loosening footings that have been secure for decades. As the wind howls through Brisbane, it won’t just be testing old houses—it will be testing whether homeowners took action in time.
Regards,
Matt Cornell