NSW emergency service warns residents to prepare for heightened storm risk this season, Australia
Image credit: NWS SES
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is urging residents to brace for the upcoming storm season as the state continues to recover from widespread damage caused by recent high winds. With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a higher risk of severe storms from September to April, New South Wales (NSW) communities are advised to take proactive measures in anticipation of strong winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding.
The NSW SES is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming storm season, as the state recovers from recent high winds. The storm season typically runs from September to April, with an increase in storms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.
In the past two weeks, over 1 200 SES volunteers have responded to more than 3 000 incidents across NSW after windy conditions caused widespread damage. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that the risk of severe storms is high, particularly at the beginning of the season.
According to the Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, preparedness is crucial as the warmer months approach. He cited the recent strong winds, which brought down trees, damaged powerlines, and lifted roofs. Dib added that these conditions also fueled fires across the state, urging communities to develop plans, prepare their homes, and be ready for potential impacts from storms.
Residents are encouraged to download the Hazards Near Me app, which was upgraded earlier this year to provide storm warnings in addition to alerts for floods, fires, and tsunamis.
According to Debbie Platz, NSW SES Acting Commissioner, severe weather can occur at any time of the year, though the risk of storms is higher in the coming months. She urged residents to take steps to prepare their homes and families, such as creating an emergency plan, cleaning gutters and drains, securing loose items, and trimming trees and branches near their homes.
According to Steve Bernasconi, Manager of Hazard Preparedness and Response at the Bureau of Meteorology, the long-range spring forecast indicates that NSW is likely to experience above-median rainfall during this storm season.
While the overall flood risk is considered near average, Bernasconi stated that severe storms could still result in significant rainfall over short periods, posing a flood risk for certain areas. He also noted that temperatures are expected to be above the median levels during spring.
Over the past year, the NSW SES has responded to more than 21 000 storm-related incidents. Areas such as Wyong, Gosford, Sutherland, Wollongong, and Ku-ring-gai have been among the hardest hit, with hundreds of incidents in each location.
References:
1 NSW RESIDENTS URGED TO PREPARE FOR UPCOMING STORM SEASON – NSW SES – September 7, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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