Australia is known for having some of the best weather around the globe with glorious sunshine filled days a common occurrence across our states. But as we all know, there’s nothing quite as unpredictable as weather!
Storm season here typically runs from November to April, and can transform regions that were once dry and calm, to saturated and dishevelled in the blink of an eye.
We’ve outlined some of our top tips to help you prepare and stay safe this storm season.
- Get tidying: there’s some preparation you can do outside to minimise the effects of a severe storm. Start by cleaning out your gutters, down pipes and drains to remove blockages and help surface water to move away and prevent it from pooling. Make sure to also check for any trees or branches at risk of causing damage to your home and trim them back if needed. Strong winds have a habit of causing havoc, so try and store or secure any outdoor furniture or equipment that could be blown away.
- Check your roof: look out for any damage such as broken or cracked tiles or rust on roof sheeting that may need urgent attention. Working on a roof can be dangerous, so if you identify any issues, you may need to contact an expert to undertake the repairs.
- Prepare a storm emergency kit: essentials such as candles, a battery powered radio, torch, stocks of fresh water, first aid kit, portable chargers, camping stove or gas burner, supplies of medication and tinned and non-perishable foods are some handy items to keep in your kit. You may also want to print a list of emergency contact numbers to keep in a waterproof sleeve.
- Check your insurance policy: research the type of cover you have (and if it’s up to date) or what you may need for your particular location. For example, your region may be more prone to flash flooding or storm surges so you will need to check for this type of cover. This will not only give you peace of mind in extreme weather conditions but could save you a significant amount, if damage is caused.
- Stay in the loop: pay attention to any storm warnings and announcements such as expected hazards, evacuation plans and recovery centre locations via your local radio station or the Bureau of Meteorology – this is where a battery powered radio comes in handy in the event of a power outage. It also helps to fully charge all of your devices before a storm hits so that you have access to them during emergencies.
- Emergency plan: if you need to evacuate your home, there are some important things to consider. Where will you go? How will you get away? What will you take? Do you have copies of important documentation? Do you need to assist anyone else in your neighbourhood? Having a plan takes away the guess work and gives you a clearer path to safety.
Preparation is key during storm season, so take the time to consider how you could be impacted, start planning and stay safe!
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