New data released by NRMA Insurance highlights the impact of unseasonal rainfall and damaging winds this past winter, with 26,515 claims for wild weather received nationally, making this the worst winter for damage to homes and vehicles since 2016.

The winter edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker (the Tracker) revealed almost two thirds of all home claims (62%) and a quarter of motor claims (25%) were caused by wild weather this winter. This is 13 percentage points above the winter average of 49% for home claims caused by wild weather.

An East Coast Low in early July contributed to the rise in claims over Winter, as New South Wales was battered with heavy rain resulting in significant flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Mid-North Coast regions. The west coast of Australia also experienced its share of wild weather, with multiple bursts of damaging winds striking southwest Western Australia at the start of August.

Despite devastating recent events and rising community concern about the frequency and severity of wild weather (75%), only 37% of Australians have taken steps to prepare for wild weather in the last three months. This is 11% less than the same time last year.

When asked what holds them back from taking action to prepare, respondents stated they:
• Don’t think their suburb will be impacted by wild weather (42%);
• Don’t know where to start (27%); and
• Find it difficult to find the time to prepare (22%).

Only one in six feel their community is prepared for the next wild weather event (16%).

NRMA Insurance Meteorologist Dr Bruce Buckley said with unseasonal severe weather forecast for the months ahead, all households need to take steps to prepare.

“Over the next few months we will see multiple severe weather drivers reinforcing each other, including La Niña and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, which are likely to bring a much wetter than average spring across the eastern states and through South Australia,” Dr Buckley said.

“This is a rare coincidence of climate drivers that favour bursts of very heavy rainfall capable of producing flash and river flooding through spring and early summer."

“At the beginning of spring, we are encouraging Australians to clear their gutters and downpipes, which is a simple but effective way to minimise the likelihood of water getting into your home,” Dr Buckley continued.

The Tracker also revealed that Queenslanders continue to lead the way in preparing for wild weather compared to the rest of the country, with almost half (46%) taking steps to prepare in the past three months. This is followed by New South Wales (39%), however, NSW residents are less likely to say they know their neighbours well enough to assist them in weather emergencies (27%).

In South Australia and Western Australia, there is an opportunity for more people to prepare to respond, with less than 35% having an emergency plan or kit at the ready. Meanwhile, ACT residents feel the least prepared for wild weather.

With 39% of Australians unsure of what actions they can take now to reduce the impact of storm damage, NRMA Insurance is encouraging households to do the following to get prepared:
1) Clear gutters, downpipes and drains
2) Secure outdoor items
3) Save and know the SES phone number (132 500) in case of an emergency

To view the full NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker report see the downloads section below.