Perhaps one of the things that make the suburban areas slightly safer in high winds (but worse for flooding) is that the majority of homes are single storey. One of the major storms in WA about 10 years ago ripped half the roof and the front of the house off of my parents house - they have a two storey house on a hill facing the sea (a couple of minutes on foot to the beach) - but their neighbours with single storey houses didn't get anywhere near as much damage. I'd call my parents and find out how the relatives in QLD are coping, but Mother has managed to piss me off again so I'm not in the mood to put up with her right now.