Queenslanders have been urged to heed the lessons of Cyclone Debbie during the most dangerous time of the year for natural disasters. Strata owners along the Queensland coast should check against a list of three key learnings that came from Debbie, which created havoc when it formed in March last year.

Archers the Strata Professionals partner Andrew Staehr said some strata complexes were still awaiting repairs in the areas worst hit by Debbie, which struck north Queensland and then travelled south with rainfall that caused damage into New South Wales.

"These events happen, whether they be cyclones or even severe storms, and there is very little time to prepare," Staehr said.

"So, while the weather is still relatively calm, there are some actions that strata owners can take that will help them should a natural disaster affect them. This is all about creating peace of mind for when these natural disasters strike."

Check your disaster management plan

This was a key learning from Cyclone Debbie, Mr Staehr said. Bodies corporate would be wise to review their disaster management plans or, if they don't have one, then to draw up a plan for natural disasters. "Even if you think you have a disaster management plan in place, then it's wise to look at it again."

Check your insurance excess and sinking fund

This became a problem for some strata apartment complexes in the aftermath of Debbie. As a general guide, a body corporate's sinking fund should be equivalent to the excess on an insurance policy. Unfortunately, after Debbie struck last summer some bodies corporate had to raise a special levy to help them cope. Some excesses have risen significantly in the last 12 months.

Staehr said some bodies corporate built their sinking funds over a period of time. "We've seen some of our clients successfully build their sinking funds up slowly which has then become a real asset for them in times of trouble."

Carry out regular building inspections

Some strata owners have been dealt the devastating news that damage that they believe was inflicted by Cyclone Debbie was assessed to be a pre-existing matter. So, insurers are refusing to fund the repair of those problems.

One example came from a strata owner in a complex at Airlie Beach. They had water damage to a bathroom that made it unusable. When the assessors came through, they determined that the damage was from a bathroom leak and not from the cyclone. The result was a bill of $50,000 for a new bathroom that wasn't covered by insurance.

Regular building inspections can help in this situation, acting as a base to understand which conditions are new and which are pre-existing. These inspections can be done every three to five years - it's safe to go five years if there have been no natural disasters. These can be lined up to occur at the same time as insurance valuations, which are often carried out every five years.

"Cyclone Debbie could have been a once -in-a-lifetime event but we really don't know that especially in a state like Queensland in which natural disasters can strike at any time," Staehr said.

"Queenslanders always show remarkable resilience and determination once cyclones hit but there are preventative steps that can be taken.

"And it's not just those in the path of cyclones who should think about it. Southeast Queenslanders exposed to storm bursts during summer may also be vulnerable. Peace of mind can be extremely valuable during such uncertain times."

Read more about how weather can impact property:

Aerial photographs reveal storm damage

Cyclone Debbie's devastation

Insurance industry braces for storm claims