Warning for unprepared Australians after winter of extreme weather
The devastating damage from torrential rain and damaging winds across eastern Australia this year led to the worst winter for wild weather claims in six years, according to insurance giant NRMA.
But despite the damage affecting thousands of cars and homes, many Australians are unprepared for another spate of wild weather expected in coming months, the company warns.
Extreme weather has accounted for almost two-thirds of all home and vehicle insurance claims this winter, a 13 per cent increase on the seasonal average, NRMA data showed.
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In Greater Sydney, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Blacktown were the most impacted suburbs. Peter Rae
There have been 26,515 claims across the country this winter for weather damage to homes and vehicles, the worst year since 2016.
Devastating flooding on the New South Wales mid-north coast and the Hawkesbury as well as damaging winds hitting southwest Western Australia drove the jump in claims.
The top three hardest NSW regions were the Illawarra, Hunter Valley and Central Coast, while the most affected towns and suburbs were Campbelltown in western Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie.
In Greater Sydney, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Blacktown were the most impacted suburbs.
READ MORE: Australia's east coast set to be smashed by third-consecutive La Nina
A third consecutive La Niña has been declared for Australia but many homes remain unprepared for the coming wet and windy weather.. Supplied
Less than 40 per cent of Australians had prepared for the wild conditions over winter, the NRMA said.
A third-consecutive La Niña event has been predicted for Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology [BoM] has indicated, meaning wet conditions will likely continue into summer for millions.
It will be the first time Australia has seen three-consecutive La Niña events in 20 years.
Cleaning gutters from leaves is a simple step towards preparing your home against flood damage. Getty Images/iStockphoto
NRMA insurance meteorologist Bruce Buckley urged residents to start preparing for the wild weather now.
"The impacts of a changing climate means that wild weather can strike anywhere at any time, but taking a few small steps to both reduce our level of risk and prepare for how we will respond can make a big difference when it happens," Buckley said.
Clearing gutters and downpipes were simple but effective steps to prevent flood damage to homes, he said.
Residents were also advised to secure outdoor items and save the State Emergency Service phone number (132 500).
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