The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is urging communities across the state to prepare themselves for the upcoming storm season as wild weather looks to become more frequent in the coming months. This is a timely reminder for all of us across the country to get storm ready as summer approaches.
The Minister for Emergency Services, David Elliot MP, and the NSW SES Acting Commissioner, Kyle Stewart, have ceremoniously launched the start of the official storm season, which runs from October 1st through to the 31st of March. With much of south eastern NSW recently being hit with severe storms, Mr. Stewart took the opportunity to remind the public that severe weather can happen at any time and that people should always be prepared.
The NSW SES has already responded to more than 5,600 storm damage jobs in the last three months and over 34,000 storm related jobs in the last year. “While parts of the state have been experiencing incredibly dry conditions and fires have occurred recently, we have also experienced severe storms, including damaging winds, hail, and snow,” said Mr. Elliot.
At the recent launch, the volunteers on hand simulated a rescue from a fallen tree on a crushed car to demonstrate the devastating impact of this strong weather. “NSW SES volunteers and other emergency services are preparing for a busy storm season,” said Mr. Stewart.
Simulated rescue 
Storm season preparations
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a typical severe thunderstorm season, this could likely see the region hit by large hailstorms, heavy rain, flash flooding, and damaging winds. “As the weather heats up over summer, storm frequency increases,” Mr. Elliott added.
Residents are being urged to help prevent storm damage around their properties by trimming back overhanging branches, cleaning gutters and downpipes, and securing or putting away loose items around the yard or on balconies. It’s also important to avoid parking vehicles under trees and powerlines.
Communities should feel assured knowing that the NSW SES has 9,500 volunteers who selflessly give up their own time to protect their communities during floods and storms. “I’m confident we have a very well-resourced emergency services fraternity [and] I’m confident they’re well trained,” said Mr. Elliot.
It’s imperative that NSW residents take it upon themselves to be prepared for the upcoming storm season and all that it may have it store. Preparing your residence for the impact of wild weather and staying up to date with weather forecasts should be a top priority. As Mr. Stewart said at this season’s launch, “Even an average storm season can wreak havoc, like what we saw in the Sydney hailstorms last December.”
For more storm safety tips and how communities can prepare for storm events, visit https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/disaster-tabs-header/storm/
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