Forster has been identified the most storm affected town in the Hunter region.
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And, the Hunter – which according to the NRMA Forster is part of – is the second most affected region in the State behind the Gosford-Wyong area.
With the official start of storm season well underway, residents are being urged to prepare their homes for the period which runs until March.
“This month marks the start of storm season, so together with the NSW SES we’re encouraging residents to start taking simple steps like clearing gutters, trimming branches and securing loose outdoor items to help reduce storm damage,”head of shared value for NRMA Insurance Ramana James said.
“Little acts can make a big difference in severe weather. Taking the time now to prepare your home and ensure your insurance cover is up to date will help you to be better prepared for unexpected events,”
Further research conducted by NRMA Insurance revealed that only one in four Australians had taken action to prepare their home for storm season.
In addition, the majority did not have an emergency kit ready or an emergency plan in place for storms or floods.
“Last storm season NSW SES volunteers responded to more than 19,000 storm related calls for assistance, however many of these could have been prevented if residents were better prepared and had an emergency plan in place,” NSW SES acting commissioner Greg Newton said.
“Safety measures like preparing your home and an emergency kit, as well as an evacuation plan are very simple, but incredibly effective. Getting ready for storm season now will help to limit the amount of damage and injury suffered in storms,” Mr Newton said.
“Storms can strike anywhere, anytime, so together with the NSW SES we’re encouraging people to get ready for the more severe weather ahead,” said James.
The official storm season runs from October through to March next year and NRMA Insurance, in conjunction with the NSW SES, have developed a simple checklist to help people get ready and prepare for storm season. For more information, visit www.stormsafe.com.au or visit www.nrma.com.au/ses.
How to get your home ready for storm season:
- Trim overhanging trees and branches.
- Clean out gutters and downpipes.
- Secure or put away loose items in your yard or on your balcony.
- Check the roof is in good repair.
- Make sure that your home and contents insurance is up to date.