The Illawarra has been named among the state’s worst-hit storm locations after it was repeatedly whacked by wild weather in the past financial year.
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The scale of destruction associated with storms during that 12-month period has been revealed in suburb-by-suburb data released by NRMA Insurance on Monday.
The Illawarra was the third most storm-affected region in NSW in the 2015-16 financial year, making up nine per cent of all claims lodged with the insurer.
Kiama topped the list of the region’s worst-hit suburbs, followed by Bulli and Woonona (equal second), with Albion Park rounding out the top three.
The main driver of the storm damage claims was an east coast low that unleashed severe weather across a large swathe of the Illawarra in June, although other significant weather events hit the region during August and November last year.
Statewide, sixty per cent of the NRMA’s home insurance claims in 2015-16 related to storm damage. In June alone, more than 85 per cent of NSW home claims were for storm damage.
Despite the Illawarra’s top-three ranking, only 22 per cent of the region’s residents said they had taken action to prepare their home for this storm season, additional research conducted by the insurer found.
“Storms can strike anywhere, anytime, so together with the NSW SES we’re encouraging people to get ready for the more severe weather ahead,” Ramana James, from NRMA Insurance, said.
October 1 marked the start of the latest storm season, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of an increased possibility of severe thunderstorms along the Great Dividing Range – the result of more moisture than usual in the atmosphere.
On the back of well-above-average winter rainfall, the Illawarra weather outlook is for a wetter than average October to December period.
Strong winds have already brought down trees and branches across the Illawarra in recent weeks, prompting the SES to urge people to prepare their properties.
“Getting ready for storm season now will help to limit the amount of damage and injury suffered in storms,” NSW SES Acting Commissioner Greg Newton said.
The SES recommends people trim overhanging trees/branches, clean out gutters, secure loose items and check your roof is in good repair.
Illawarra’s top 10 most storm-affected suburbs
- Kiama
- Bulli and Woonona (equal second)
- Albion Park
- Dapto
- Wollongong city
- Figtree
- Sanctuary Point
- Flinders
- Bowral
- Sussex Inlet