Storm season: Queenslanders concerned but not prepared

Nearly two thirds of Queenslanders are concerned about being impacted by severe storms and flooding, but most are not getting ready for a summer of wild weather, new research reveals.

Nearly two thirds of Queenslanders are concerned about being impacted by severe storms and flooding, but many aren’t taking the appropriate steps to prepare, new research has revealed.

As the sunshine state faces another unpredictable season of wild weather, RACQ’s Attitudes Towards Storm Season Report found that 64 per cent of Queenslanders live in, or close to, areas prone to severe storms and cyclones yet less than half have an emergency kit (40 per cent) or emergency plan (46 per cent) ready for when disaster strikes.

RACQ Group Executive Insurance Trent Sayers said while respondents admitted to taking proactive steps to get ready for storm season, most only carried out last minute activities and didn’t focus on early preparation.

“Relocating their vehicle to a safe area (70 per cent) and securing loose outdoor items (63 per cent) are seen as the top priorities when preparing for storm season,” Mr Sayers said.

“While these tasks are important to reduce damage, people should be thinking further ahead. Cleaning gutters and downpipes, carrying out home repairs and maintenance, and having an emergency kit and plan in place, well in advance, is crucial to making your property and family more resilient to severe weather events.”

The Bureau of Meteorology says there is an increased risk of above average cyclones and lows and widespread flooding over summer. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Sayers said living in Australia’s most disaster-impacted state, it was vital Queenslanders didn’t become complacent with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting another wet and wild summer. 

Meteorologist Laura Boekel said the current La Nina conditions meant that Queensland could see an “increased risk” of above average of tropical cyclones, tropical lows and widespread flooding. 

Mr Sayers said it was important for Queenslanders to understand their insurance policy and what they are covered for.

“Concerningly, one in three surveyed said their home was either not insured, they didn’t know their sum-insured value, or didn’t think their insurance would cover rebuilding costs in today’s market,” he said.

Houses inundated by floodwater in Auchenflower in February. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“People need to stay on top of their home maintenance, for example checking their roof tiles aren’t cracked and there isn’t loose sheeting or rotting timber.”

For Queenslanders struggling to find the motivation to get ready for storm season, Decida behavioural economist Phil Slade said there were some simple ways to help people kickstart preparations.

“Make a simple list of things you can do to be ready for storm season and start the conversation with others to get their views, because when we share ideas, it helps to motivate each other.” 

Ms Boekel also encouraged Queenslanders to stay up to date with forecasts and turn on their location settings in the weather app, especially while travelling over the Christmas period.