With El Niño hot on Australia’s heels, this season may see more thunderstorm activity in north tropical and western Queensland, with climate experts, councils, and public safety bodies stressing the need to be prepared.
Queensland, with its sunny days and breathtaking landscapes, is no stranger to the unpredictable nature of storm seasons – and right now, residents are in the peak of the storm season, which tends to occur between September and March.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), on average, there are 11 tropical cyclones that occur each season, and with an El Niño summer declared, it could be especially prevalent in the summer of 2024.
A study by Suncorp also found that rain, hail and flood were the most common cause of damage to Queensland homes.
In 2020, a catastrophic hailstorm caused almost $200 million worth of damage to homes across South-East Queensland, while the 2022 storms and subsequent floods created over $7.7 billion worth of damage to homes, businesses, and individuals.
While many Queenslanders will be used to the changing weather patterns, with 100 natural disasters affecting the state since 2011, it is important to be ready by understanding the risks, having a household emergency plan, and ensuring your home insurance is up to date.
Because without the right cover, this can leave people stuck when disaster strikes. As proud partners for the Queensland SES, insurers like Suncorp are looking to help make Queenslanders more resilient for storm season, including providing resources and information on how to be better prepared.
Ensuring your home is protected this summer can give you peace of mind while you enjoy family time. Picture: Getty
To gear up for storm season, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) share insights and guidance on how to protect your home and navigate the upcoming challenges.
1. Prepare for risk
The first step in storm preparedness is understanding the risks.
A spokesperson for the DCCEEW says that “several data agencies and sources, including the Australian Climate Service and Bureau of Meteorology” are used to closely monitoring weather patterns to provide timely warnings.
According to the Australian Climate Service, warnings for severe thunderstorms “are usually issued 12-24 hours in advance,” and can be valid up to six hours.
You can sign up for alerts from organisations like the SES, CFA, BoM and government organisations – notifications can be sent to an app on your phone, on the organisation’s website, and across news media on TV, radio and online.
As a homeowner, it’s crucial to stay informed about potential risks in your area. It’s never too early to prepare, so check weather updates regularly and pay attention to official alerts to stay one step ahead.
Prepping your home is one of the key factors to staying safe during storm season.
You can use this preparation checklist and guide to get started.
2. Understand how climate change affects your home
It’s important to recognise the broader impact of climate change on your home, which can include rising sea levels during storm season.
Queensland has warmed by 1.5 degrees since 1910, with extreme weather events like rain, fire seasons and days over 35 degrees all expected to increase over the coming decades.
This can pose long-term threats to coastal areas, making it imperative for residents to take preventive measures.
“Climate change increases the number and severity of natural disasters, but there are also gradual impacts such as sea level rise,” says the DCCEEW spokesperson.
Consider investing in protective measures such as storm shutters, reinforced doors, and elevated foundations – check out how to prep your home.
These adaptations not only prepare your home for immediate storm threats but can also contribute to the long-term resilience of your property.
3. Prepare a household emergency plan
When living in a high-risk storm area, it is important to stay vigilant and have a household emergency plan.
For an emergency plan to work, everyone in the household needs to know how it works - so spend time teaching your kids what to do. Picture: Getty
The Queensland Government advises thinking about if the home is safe to stay in, where you will go if you need to evacuate, having an emergency kit, and double checking your insurance policy for what is covered.
Make sure your emergency kit contains items such as food, water, toiletries, communication devices, medications, important identification and insurance documents, a chosen contact person, and knowing how you will get to your destination.
4. Check your cover
While you can take steps to protect your home, some elements are beyond your control.
Home insurance can be your safety net in the event of storm damage or when the unexpected happens, however this relies on you reviewing your insurance policy to note if it covers potential storm-related damages.
Check for coverage of structural damage, contents, and additional living expenses in case your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable.
Being adequately insured offers peace of mind and helps you recover faster in the aftermath of a storm.
By understanding the risks, acknowledging the impact of climate change, and staying informed about the government’s initiatives, you can take proactive steps to protect your home this storm season.