Wet Season and Cyclone Prep for Your Car in Darwin

This guide is for Darwin, Palmerston and rural area households getting ready for the wet season and cyclone season. It covers the vehicle side of your preparations: what NT Emergency Service advises, which electrical checks are worth doing before the build-up ends, how to keep phones and radios charged during a power outage, and what to do if your car ends up in floodwater.

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Know the season and the official advice

NT Emergency Service says the cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, while noting that cyclones have formed outside those dates. It also notes that the Top End typically sees two to three cyclones a season, and that coastal areas up to about 50 km inland are usually the most affected. That covers Darwin, Palmerston and much of the Litchfield rural area.

The wet season brings most of Darwin's rain. Bureau of Meteorology averages for Darwin Airport show January as the wettest month, at over 400 mm, with December to March all very wet. Heavy downpours, flash flooding and long power outages after storms are all part of normal life in the Top End wet.

Read the official advice before you plan anything. The NT Emergency Service cyclone safety page and the SecureNT emergency kit checklist are the places to start. This guide only covers the vehicle side, and the official advice always takes priority.

What NT Emergency Service says about vehicles

The NT Emergency Service cyclone advice includes a few specific steps for vehicles. At the time of writing, these were:

• Keep your fuel tanks full, and fill any jerry cans you have.
• Park vehicles under solid shelter, with the handbrake on and in gear.
• Tie down, or fill with water, large light items such as boats and bins.
• When a cyclone watch is issued, fuel up as part of your preparations.
• If you're driving when a cyclone hits, stop clear of trees, power lines and streams.

Electrical checks before the wet arrives

The best time to fix electrical faults is during the build-up, before the rain and storms make every job harder. Driving in heavy tropical rain at night is when you most need lights, wipers and demisters to work properly.

Go around the car with someone watching while you switch on each light. Check headlights on high and low beam, tail lights, brake lights, indicators and hazard lights. Our guide on changing a headlight globe covers one of the most common jobs.

• Wipers: check both speeds, the intermittent setting and the park position. A wiper that stops mid-screen often points to a motor or park switch fault.
• Washers: make sure the pump runs and the jets are clear.
• Demister: check the rear window demister clears the glass, and that the air con dries the windscreen quickly.
• Fog lights: if fitted, check they work, and only use them when visibility is actually poor.
• Battery: have it tested before the season so it's reliable if you need to leave in a hurry. See how to test a car battery.

Staying charged when the power goes out

The SecureNT emergency kit list includes a battery-operated radio with spare batteries, a torch with spare batteries, and a mobile phone with a spare battery and charger. After a big storm, mains power can be off for some time, and many people end up using their car to top up phones.

A car can charge phones and small devices through its USB ports or a 12V socket adaptor. Charged power banks in your kit reduce how much you need to rely on the car. If you plan to run anything bigger, such as a small fan or a laptop, an inverter can help. Our guide on choosing and installing an inverter explains the sizing and safety basics.

Be careful with this. Never run an engine in a closed garage or carport that's been boarded up, because exhaust fumes can kill. Running devices with the engine off will flatten the starting battery, so watch how long you go. Keep a set of jumper leads or a jump starter in the car, and know how to use them safely.

Floodwater and your car's electrics

NT Emergency Service is blunt about flooded roads: it is highly dangerous to try to cross them, and you should never drive into floodwater. Its message is simple: if it's flooded, forget it. In the Top End, crocodiles moving into floodwater are another reason to stay right away. Check the NT Government's Road Report for closures before you travel.

Floodwater is also very hard on a car's electrics. Water can reach the starter motor, alternator, engine management plugs and modules under the seats and carpet. Water drawn into the engine through the air intake can cause serious mechanical damage.

• If your car has been in floodwater above the floor, don't try to start it. Starting it can turn a repairable car into a write-off.
• Disconnect the battery if it's safe to do so, and contact your insurer before any repairs.
• Have the car assessed before you drive it. Corrosion from flood or salt water can cause faults weeks or months later.
• Hybrid and electric vehicles that have been submerged need specialist handling. Keep clear and get professional advice, because the high-voltage system is for licensed professionals only.

After the cyclone

NT Emergency Service advises waiting for official confirmation before going outside after a cyclone, and watching for fallen power lines, damaged trees and loose roofing. Treat any fallen power line as live, and never drive over one. If you evacuated, wait until you're told it's safe to return, and use the recommended route.

Once things settle, check your car before using it. Look for debris in the engine bay, damage to lights and mirrors, and water in the cabin or boot. Leaves and twigs blocking the scuttle panel drains at the base of the windscreen can send water into the cabin and onto wiring. Clear them out.

Getting work done in time

Workshops get busy as the season turns, so book electrical repairs during the build-up. If you're in the rural area, our Humpty Doo page is a good place to start, and our Palmerston page covers the city's south-east.

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Questions Darwin drivers ask

When is cyclone season in Darwin?

NT Emergency Service says the cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, though cyclones have occurred outside those dates. The Top End typically sees two to three cyclones a season. Use the build-up before November to service your car, fix any lighting or wiper faults, and prepare your emergency kit. Check SecureNT for the latest advice.

Where should I park my car during a cyclone?

NT Emergency Service advises parking vehicles under solid shelter, with the handbrake on and in gear, and keeping fuel tanks full. Avoid parking under trees, near power lines or in areas that flood. Remove loose items from utes and trailers, and tie down or fill with water large, light items such as boats and bins.

Can I start my car after it's been in floodwater?

No. If water has reached the floor or above, don't start the engine. Water in the intake can cause serious engine damage, and power through wet electrics can damage modules and wiring. Disconnect the battery if it's safe to do so, contact your insurer, and have the car assessed. Submerged hybrids and EVs need specialist handling.

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