Residents from one state are being urged to prepare for the upcoming storm season, after the SES responded to more than 14,000 incidents throughout the last severe-weather peak.
New South Wales residents are being urged to prepare for peak storm season, which will hit the state from October to March.
The NSW State Emergency Service issued a fresh warning on Tuesday, after responding to more than 14,000 storm-related incidents last season.
While forecasts indicate this year’s storm peak will see less rainfall and drier conditions, severe weather still threatens to lash the state.
Severe thunderstorms are known to strike Australia’s eastern coast in spring, with east coast lows often bringing increased hail risks, damaging winds and flash flooding.
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York warned residents to not be complacent and to have a plan in place this storm season.
“Throughout storm season severe weather, such as flooding due to isolated heavy rainfall, strong wind events and damaging hail, can all have significant impacts on communities,” she said in a statement.
“Last storm season our volunteers responded to more than 14,000 storm-related jobs throughout NSW.”
Of those incidents, the SES was called to 544 jobs in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area, along with 544 in Ku-ring-Gai, 469 in Hornsby and 477 in Sutherland.
SES volunteers also responded to 373 incidents in Dubbo and 650 in the Central Coast, mostly at Gosford and Wyong.
Commissioner York issued some tips for how homeowners can secure their properties ahead of the looming wet weather.
“Clean your gutters, downpipes and drains, secure and put away any loose items around your backyard and balcony, and trim trees and branches that could fall onto your home,” she said.
(SKY NEWS)
