Most storm affected suburbs on the Central Coast

VIDEO: Insurance data has shown that the Central Coast is the second most storm affected region in NSW — and here are the suburbs likely to be hardest hit by wild storms.

• Coast’s highest funded school revealed
• Gosfords $150m business and entertainment mecca

NRMA Insurance claims data has revealed that the Central Coast was the second most storm affected region in NSW for the 2018-19 financial year.

Eleven per cent of all storm claims in NSW came from the region while Wamberal (4th) and Terrigal (9th) were in the top 10 most storm affected suburbs or towns in NSW.

Damaged car after a brief hailstorm hit Central Coast NSW in 2018. Source: Twitter

WORST FOR STORMS

The 10 most storm-affected suburbs on the Central Coast in 2018-19 were:

1. Wamberal

2. Terrigal

3. Kincumber

4. Umina Beach

5. Erina

6. Green Point

7. Bateau Bay

8. Forresters Beach

9. Saratoga

10. Umina

Incredible 2015 Hailstorm at Bateau Bay on the Central Coast. Picture: Mark Scott

The claims data also reveals NSW has experienced its most intense storm season in years with 61% of all home claims in NSW in 2018-19 the result of storm damage — the highest proportion since 2014-15.

Car insurance claims resulting from storms (i.e. hail damage) was more than double the long-term average, with 15% of all car claims in 2018-19 related to storm damage.

NRMA Insurance has also conducted new research on community concerns about the impact of climate change on storms (survey of 1,000 NSW residents) revealing:

storm-ravaged Wamberal beach where there was massive coastal erosion in 2016. Pictures Mark Scott

*61% of NSW residents think that climate change will make storms more frequent and intense in the future, while 57% feel that climate change has already made storms worse.

*Almost half of NSW residents (47%) are worried about the impact of climate change on their suburb or town in the future, while 41% are worried about impact on their own property.

*84% of NSW residents believe that preparing early helps to reduce the risk of storm damage — however, 4 in 10 say they don’t prepare their home for severe storms.

NRMA Insurance and the NSW SES are urging residents to prepare for ‘storm season’ (which is now underway in NSW — October-March each year).

Terrigal Marine Rescue assess the damage after waves crashes into their Terrigal Headquaters during from Major storm in 2016. Pictures Mark Scott

NRMA Insurance Manager for Safer Communities, Alex Mazzoni said: with more severe storms hitting NSW, he anticipated more hail storms, more damaging winds and more intense rain.

“We know that two in five residents are yet to take steps to prepare their home for severe weather, so we’re joining the SES to urge everyone to take the time to prepare their homes for storm season,” Mr Mazzoni said.

The Central Coast's SES controllers Rolf Garda (Gosford) and Matt le Clercq (Wyong) on how volunteers are at breaking point after a storm year from hell

“Trim your branches, clear your gutters and secure loose items in your garden on your balcony. Severe weather can strike at any time, so these little actions can make a big difference,” he said.

NSW SES Acting Commissioner, Fatima Abbas, wants to remind and encourage communities to prepare for the storm season ahead.