Millennials least prepared for disaster as El Nino takes hold
Millennials are the least prepared for potential disasters in coming years, according to new research from the Australian Red Cross.
While 83 per cent of Australians expect to be impacted by a disaster during the next five years, 33 per cent are unconfident about what action to take when one strikes, the charity’s annual emergency preparedness survey found.
Most Australians are expecting an emergency in the coming years, but many don’t feel prepared for it. Getty
Millennials felt the most unprepared, with 71 per cent of 30 to 45 year olds surveyed having no physical provisions for disasters or emergencies.
The research was released on Monday at the start of EmergencyRedi Week.
It comes as weather forecasters warn that a developing El Nino climate pattern is likely to bring hotter and drier conditions this spring and summer, increasing the likelihood of heatwaves, bushfires and drought conditions.
The Australian Red Cross says four in five people have experienced an emergency or disaster either directly or within their community, but the survey highlights how they don’t feel confident in responding to one.
“We want people to feel like getting prepared is simple and achievable. Taking a few small actions today can make a real difference in an emergency,” said the charity’s director of recovery and resilience Nichola Krey.
The research also highlighted the widespread recognition of emotional and psychological preparedness.
More than three quarters surveyed agreed that this was just as important as having physical readiness in place.
People from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds felt the most exposed, with 62 per cent not feeling pyschologically equipped.
Coping with disasters or emergencies comes with a high mental health cost for many people. Getty Images
“Being prepared isn’t just about having supplies on hand,” Krey said.
“It’s about understanding your options, knowing where to find information, identifying your support networks and having a plan that works for your household.”
Higher temperatures across multiple states
The Bureau of Meteorology say an El Nino system will drive temperatures above average across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, NSW, the ACT and Queensland.
From September to November, there is a more than 60 per cent chance of unusually high maximum temperatures across the southern two-thirds of Australia, with an 80 per cent chances over most of south-western and south-eastern parts of the country.
Spring is also a peak time for severe thunderstorms, especially along Australia’s east coast, with the storm season starting in October.
The strength of an El Nino event is measured by sea surface temperature anomalies, essentially how much warmer the top layer of the Pacific Ocean is compared to the long-term average
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