You should upgrade your metal roof classing and flashings. They should meet the minimum requirements of AS 1562.1. If you are replacing a tile roof with a sheet metal roof then the roof structure will also need to be upgraded. This includes needing to strengthen tie-downs as metal roofs are lighter than tiled roofs.

Flashings are thin sheets or strips of water-resistant materials that are installed at the intersections of roofs and walls. They are often metal and can direct rainwater flow away from the building. Flashing should be fasten securely with closely spaced screws, with a maximum spacing of 500mm. Flashings should be securely fastened so they can't be lifted or completely blown of the building by wind. This aligns with AS 1562.1 standards.

If flashings tear or are lifted from your house then wind-driven rain may enter the building. This can result in plasterboard ceiling getting wet and collapsing. You should ensure flashings are well anchored to the building to minimise the amount of rainwater entering the building.

You should upgrade your metal roof cladding and flashings. They should meet the minimum requirements of AS 1562.1. If you are replacing a tile roof with a sheet metal roof then the roof structure will also need to be upgraded. This includes needing to strengthen tie-downs as metal roofs are lighter than tiled roofs.

Flashings are thin sheets or strips of water-resistant materials that are installed at the intersections of roofs and walls. They are often metal and can direct rainwater flow away from the building. Flashing should be fasten securely with closely spaced screws, with a maximum spacing of 500mm. Flashings should be securely fastened so they can't be lifted or completely blown of the building by wind. This aligns with AS 1562.1 standards.

There may be openings in your roof cladding for items such as aerials and air conditioners. These edges must be effectively sealed to avoid wind-driven rain entering. Sealant can deteriorate in the sun. If it is cracked or has pulled away from the flashing it should be replaced.

If flashings tear or are lifted from your house then wind-driven rain may enter the building. This can result in plasterboard ceiling getting wet and collapsing. You should ensure flashings are well anchored to the building to minimise the amount of rainwater entering the building.

Solid-core doors are more resilient to damage from small and light wind-borne debris than hollow-core doors.

If doors blow in during strong winds, water can enter the building through the large door opening. This water can cause damage to linings, internal cabinetry and building contents. Doors can fail by flexure of the door itself or by failure of the latch or hinges. If the latches or hinges are too small, they cannot resist the wind pressures and would be the weak link in the door.

Standard entrance door locks may not be adequate to withstand cyclonic wind loads. This is particularly true for double doors. Additional support for external doors, such as bolts into the floor and head of the door frame, may be required. For double-opening doors, bolts on top and bottom are required on each door panel, as the central latch cannot provide sufficient strength to keep the doors closed.

You should make sure that any doors in your house that don't comply with the current building standard are reinforced with a bracing system.

Garage and other large access doors are at risk of damage from strong winds. They may become dislodged from door tracks or other retaining hardware in strong winds.

If the door fails it can cause serious damage and major structural damage to the property.

Guidance can be found in AS/NZS 4505 Garage doors and other large access doors

Roof sarking is a strong and pliable membrane that can be installed under tiled and metal roofs. It is usually made with a reflective foil layer on one or both sides. It may be possible to install sarking in an existing roof if you are doing major renovations or home extensions. For example, if a tile roof is being re-tiled, it may be possible to install sarking before the new tiles are installed. The best time to install sarking is during the construction phase. This is because it needs to be installed directly below the roofing material.

Sarking also protects the exposed frame of your house from dust, wind and rain during the construction phase.

Sarking improves the sealing of the roof from wind-blown hazards. This includes wind-driven rain in tropical cyclones if the sarking is water-resistant.

Metal elements on your house can rust, particularly if you live close to the coast. Water damage can also lead to accelerated corrosion of connections and other metal components, which could reduce their strength in future events. Metal posts on verandas, carports, patios, etc, are especially prone to corrosion at their base where they connect with the ground.

Use corrosion-resistant components near the ground line on carports and patios, eg.

• support posts
• mounting brackets
• fixing hardware
• other elements 

Use a higher wind classification in the building design than indicated in AS 4055 or AS/NZS 1170.2.

For example:

• If your home is being designed using AS 4055 and is classified as C1, use C2 details.
• If your house is being designed using AS/NZS 1170.2 (that is larger houses that don't comply with AS 4055), ask your engineer to design to a higher wind speed. This will mean that windows and garage doors will be specified for a higher wind classification. 

Older garage doors are vulnerable to damage during cyclones. This also leaves the contents within the garage susceptible to damage. It can also contribute to higher internal pressure which puts the rest of the home at risk, especially the ceiling and roof.

Since 2015, all new garage doors installed in cyclone areas must comply with AS/NZS 4505. These doors have features such as wind locks that make it harder for the doors to blow in.

Strong rooms can resist higher wind forces and larger wind-borne debris than the rest of a house. Because of this, they can provide a higher level of protection from serious injury or death. They're also designed to have a higher chance of remaining intact. This is true even if the rest of the house is severely damaged.

Seek professional guidance on designing and building a strong room. They have mandatory technical design and construction specifications and deemed-to-satisfy solutions. This includes on materials and construction details.