THE State Emergency Service and NRMA Insurance are urging Lake Macquarie residents to take precautions now to prepare their homes for summer storms.
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Last storm season, SES volunteers across the Hunter responded to more than 900 storm call-outs, volunteering more than 3700 hours to assist the community.
“Getting ready now will give you peace of mind later when the storms hit. It’s that simple,” NSW SES Hunter region controller Amanda Williamson said.
She encouraged locals to:
- Know your risk - think about the area you live in and the types of disasters that could affect you, such as flooding or bushfire;
- Plan what you will do – go to seshomeemergencyplan.com.au to see what you should do if a storm affects your area;
- Get your home ready – clean your gutters, trim branches, secure any items in the backyard, put together a home emergency kit, and check your insurance is up to date;
- Be aware – listen to your local radio station for updates, check the Bureau of Meteorology website bom.gov.au or visit the NSW SES Facebook page facebook.com/NSW.SES; and
- Look out for each other – share information with family, friends, neighbours and those who may need help.
Jennifer Cobley of NRMA Insurance, the principal partner of the NSW SES, said the impact of storms in NSW was well known.
'’In a typical year almost half of all home claims in NSW result from storms,” Ms Cobey said.
“The storm events in April this year saw this increase to over 75 per cent of all home claims.
“A little work now can protect lives and help prevent damage to properties in coming months.’’
The April storms were record breakers, she said.
“The April east coast low was the biggest storm we’ve seen in NSW in years. The last one of this magnitude was the Sydney hailstorm in 1999.
“The huge impact of the April storms really highlights the importance of being prepared.
“Cleaning your gutters, trimming your branches and securing any loose items are all simple steps you can take to reduce your risk.
“It’s also important to make sure your insurance is up to date should the worst happen,” Ms Cobley said.
NRMA Insurance data lists the Hunter and Gosford-Wyong as the top two areas on the list of the 10 most storm-affected regions in NSW in the 2014/15 financial year.
For more information on how best to prepare your home, visit nsw.gov.au/getready and stormsafe.com.au
- For emergency help in storms and floods call the NSW SES on 132 500. Dial 000 in life-threatening emergencies.
