Storm and hail damaged asbestos in Toowoomba

Storm damaged asbestos in Toowoomba is a real concern after high winds and hail. If a storm has broken an old roof, fence or wall sheet at your place, the debris may contain asbestos, and how you handle the first few hours matters.

Toowoomba sits high on the Great Dividing Range and gets more frequent high winds, hail and fog than many Queensland cities. Severe storms and a large hailstorm hit the Toowoomba Region on 1 November 2025, according to a council release. Storms like that can leave broken sheeting across yards and gutters.

Assume it could be asbestos

Homes and buildings built before 1990 are likely to contain some asbestos. The Queensland Government advises that when storms damage houses of this era, you should assume the debris contains asbestos until it is tested. You cannot tell by looking.

Asbestos cement sheeting in good condition is not a risk unless it is physically disturbed. Storm damage is exactly that, so treat the broken pieces with care.

Safe first steps

Check for hazards first. Look for downed power lines, unstable roofing and other dangers before you go near the debris.

Then follow these steps, which come from Queensland Government safe work guidance:

1. Restrict access. Use tape or signs to keep people and pets away.
2. Keep debris wet. Use a light hose spray, or a mix of 5 parts water to 1 part PVA glue. Do not use pressure.
3. Cover what you cannot clean up now. Use a moist tarp, pegged down.
4. Seal fractured edges. Where sheeting is still in place, paint or PVA glue over the broken edges.
5. Wear protection. A disposable P2 respirator, disposable overalls (Type 5/6) or throw-away clothes, and gumboots or boots without laces. Take off jewellery.

Cleaning up small amounts

If the amount is small, the guidance covers bagging and wiping. Put debris in thick 200 micron plastic. Shopping or garbage bags should be only a quarter full and double or triple bagged. Do not separate soil from the fragments. Wrap larger pieces in two tarps on timber, and tape them.

Wet wipe flat surfaces and use each rag no more than twice. Do not wash and reuse rags. Bag your protective gear with the waste, then wash your hands and shower.

Remember that the whole job counts towards the 10 m² limit for homeowners. Larger storm damage usually goes beyond it. Our guide to removing small amounts of asbestos in Queensland explains where the line sits.

What not to do

• Do not use a high pressure water cleaner on an asbestos roof. Homeowners can be fined up to $10,000.
• Do not break up, walk on or drag pieces around.
• Do not use a household vacuum or compressed air.
• Do not put asbestos waste in your household bin.

When to call a licensed removalist

Call one if the damage covers a lot of roof or fence, if debris is scattered through the garden, or if you are not sure what you are dealing with. Our contractors hold a Class B licence, which covers non-friable (bonded) asbestos such as cement sheeting.

If the storm has exposed crumbling or friable material, such as old insulation, a Class A removalist is needed. Phone us on (07) 3185 2323 and we will talk through what you can see.

Licensed removalists do not need to wait five days before urgent post-storm removal. They notify WorkSafe Queensland as soon as practicable afterwards. That exemption runs from 16 March 2023 to 15 March 2028, and it does not cover work done months later, such as insurance claim work.

After the clean-up

Asbestos waste must go to an approved facility. Our asbestos disposal service handles wrapping and transport. For what the site clean involves and who signs it off, see our asbestos decontamination hub.

If a sheet has been broken by accident rather than by weather, read our guide on what to do if you disturbed asbestos.

We work across Toowoomba and the region. For advice, the Queensland Government line is 13 QGOV (13 74 68). If you are worried about your health, see your GP. Rules change, so check the current ones at asbestos.qld.gov.au.