Storm Ready
A severe storm with heavy rain, high winds and hail can strike at any time, with little warning. A storm can cause substantial damage to your home but it's damage that can often be prevented.
Maintaining your property is your first line of defence. Here are some simple tips from SGIO and the SES that you can take to reduce the risk of damage to your home and contents and help keep your family safe.
- Clean out gutters and downpipes to ensure they don’t overflow after heavy rain and check the roof for leaks
- Sweep debris away from drains and fix any that are blocked
- Trim tree branches close to your home to prevent them falling on your roof or car
- Ensure that outdoor furniture, sheds and BBQs are secured if a storm is forecast
- Make sure your home and contents insurance is adequate to cover against storm damage.
- Prepare an emergency kit with a portable radio, torch, radio, batteries and first aid kit.
In a cyclone-prone area, it's a good idea to fit permanent shutters or at least metal screens to glass windows and doors.
Storm Ready checklists
Read our checklists on what do to before, during and after a storm or cyclone.
Did you know?
- 1 in 3 SGIO home claims lodged over the last 12 months were storm related
- Between 5 and 10 deaths are caused by lightning strikes in Australia each year
- Cyclones in the Australian region have more erratic paths than cyclones in other parts of the world and can even make sharp turns and loops
*Source: Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
The information on this website is for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as professional advice on managing specific safety risks.