With warmer weather already here, RACV has provided bushfire preparation advice and a series of safety tips for Victorians to help prepare their homes for the increased risk of bushfire this summer.
Safety
How to prepare your home for summer storms in Victoria
Summer is peak season for storms in Melbourne and Victoria. Here's why they happen and how you can protect your home.
While bushfires are the extreme weather events most closely associated with summer, the hotter weather is also peak season for storms.
"These weather events can be very localised, but extremely intense," says Bill Bloodworth, RACV's General Manager for Insurance and Roadside Products. "The strong winds, hail and lightning that accompany these storms can cause enormous damage to property."
Here's why summer weather can produce storms, and how to prepare – from getting your home in order to considering updating your home insurance.
What to do before, during and after a storm
| When | |
|---|---|
|
Before storm season |
Clear gutters and fix roofing issues, prune large branches and make sure you have a home emergency kit ready. Review your home insurance and blackout plan. |
|
When a storm is forecast |
Secure loose outdoor objects and park undercover if |
|
During a storm |
Seek shelter and remain indoors. Stay away from windows and trees. Enact your blackout plan if needed. |
|
After a storm |
Check for damage, clean up your property and stay away from hazards like fallen powerlines and floodwaters. |
What to do before summer storm season
The best way to stay safe and manage stormy weather is to prepare in advance of storm season. Don't leave tasks like cleaning your gutters or fixing your roof until right before a storm hits.
Clean out your gutters
Blocked gutters can lead to water overflowing or entering your roof cavity. For this reason, it's best to have your gutters cleaned out at least once a year. This is best achieved by a professional gutter cleaning service, as they'll have the training and tools to safely and effectively get the job done.
Repair your roof
Loose tiles and broken gutters can not only lead to water damage in your home, they can also fly off in strong winds and become dangerous projectiles. Roof inspections and repairs are best carried by a professional roofer or other similarly qualified tradesperson.
Prune trees and bushes
Pruning trees and large bushes can help minimise branches snapping off and becoming dangerous during high winds. Ground level pruning can be carried out by most people, while any pruning that requires using a ladder (such as may be required for tall trees) is best left to a professional arborist.
Create a blackout plan and home emergency kit
Power outages are a real possibility during storms where strong winds can cause damage to powerlines and other electricity infrastructure. It's important to know what you'll do if your home experiences power loss - this should include having a prepared home emergency kit containing battery powered lamps or torches (with extra batteries), first aid items, bottled water, non-perishable food and more.
Review your home insurance
It's important to review your home insurance policy periodically to help prevent underinsurance. Reviewing and potentially updating your home insurance policy is also important after home renovations or the purchase of new household products.
What to do when a storm is forecast in summer
Secure outdoor objects
Trampolines, umbrellas and outdoor furniture are all common backyard objects that can be picked up and thrown by strong winds. Either bring loose garden items inside or secure them (i.e. by tying or anchoring them to a solid fixture) if storms or high winds are forecasted.
Park undercover
Where possible, it's a good idea to park your car undercover in a carport or garage when storms are predicted. You should avoid parking underneath trees, however, as strong winds may cause branches to fall on your vehicle.
If hail is predicted and you can't park undercover, commercial car covers can help protect your windscreen and paintwork. In a pinch, a thick towel placed over the windscreen can also help prevent hail damage.
Find shelter
It's important to seek shelter if a storm is on its way. Heading indoors is the safest option (don't forget to bring any pets inside either). Do not shelther under trees during a storm.
Swimming might be popular in summer but it's best to hop our of the pool, lake or ocean if a storm is imminent. It's best to avoid ocean swimming for a few days after heavy rainfall too.
Severe thunderstorms can cause flash flooding and other dangers. Image: Getty
What to do during a summer storm
Stay indoors
Remain inside and away from windows during storms. You can keep updated on the storm's progress via reputable sources such as the BoM, ABC local radio, the SES, or the Vic Emergency app or website. VicEmergency also lists current incidents and hazards in your area.
What to do if you lose power
If you lose power, don't panic. Implement your blackout plan and avoid opening fridges or freezers. Unplug electronics and use alternative forms of lighting, heating and cooling (if required).
It may be helpful to leave a light switched to the 'on' position so you know when power has been restored.
What to do if a storm hits while you're driving
Avoid unnecessary driving during storms. If you must drive, beware of extra hazards such as reduced visibility and objects on the road. Increase your following distance and use your headlights.
If you do not feel safe to drive during a storm, slow down and pull over in a safe location. Ideally, this is somewhere undercover such as a carpark or service station (not under a tree).
Never enter floodwaters while driving.
More: The rules for using headlights, fog lights and high beams in Victoria
Watch for thunderstorm asthma
Periods of intense storms can also bring about a health epidemic known as thunderstorm asthma, which induces asthma attacks that are triggered by high grass pollen levels and certain types of thunderstorms.
Thunderstorm asthma events are most common during October through December. Those with existing grass pollen allergies (including hayfever) or asthma are most susceptible, but it can occur in anyone.
VicEmergency publishes warnings on days where thunderstorm asthma is possible. Check with your healthcare professional for assistance with managing symptoms or call 000 and ask for an ambulance if you find yourself struggling to breathe.
Higher humidity during Australian summers can contribute to more frequent thunderstorms. Image: Getty
What to do after a summer storm
Check for damage
Always wait until the storm has passed before venturing outside to assess any damage.
Document any damage you see to your home or vehicle, in case you wish to make an insurance claim. Be mindful that there may be hazards about and the ground may be slippery from rainwater. Don't attempt to work at height until surfaces are completely dry.
Stay away from fallen powerlines and floodwaters
Treat all fallen powerlines as live and stay at least 10 metres away from them and any objects they have fallen on at all times. Call the local energy distributor to report the hazard.
Clean up your property
You may need to clean up after a storm, depending on your property and the severity of weather event. This can involve removing debris, trimming any broken branches and wiping down surfaces - find out more in this full guide to cleaning up after a flood or storm.
Who to call if you need help during or after a storm
Severe thunderstorms strike mostly between September and March. Image: Getty
Summer storms: frequently asked questions
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678
