Worst Gold Coast suburbs for flooding and hail revealed

Brace for La Niña – four Gold Coast suburbs are among the most dangerous in Queensland when it comes to storm damage. Is your suburb affected?

NEW data shows the Gold Coast copped the brunt of wild weather that ripped through the state during spring as residents are warned of more to come.

The Glitter Strip recorded the highest number of insurance claims for weather events in Queensland during September, October and November this year.

Arundel was the most impacted suburb in the state, followed by Parkwood, Southport and Nerang, according to insurer NRMA.

On the bright side, the insurer’s Wild Weather Tracker, which conducted research of 1000 Queensland residents, found the Gold Coast was the fourth best prepared region in the state.

Heaving rain and flooded roads on the Gold Coast earlier this month. Staff at Home Co Bundall pictured cleaning up after the carpark flooded. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Mayor Tom Tate urged people keep their home emergency kits updated.

“We encourage residents to be storm ready throughout the year, not just over the key summer months,” he said.

“As a council, we work every day on ensuring our city is prepared.

“This includes large-scale projects like the current $8.5m sand backpass project at Surfers Paradise and Narrowneck, regular dredging of river mouths including Tallebudgera and Currumbin, (and) renewing our underground stormwater drains and channels.”

Council will be breaking ground on its new $22m disaster management centre in the coming months, which is expected finished at the end of 2022.

Hail from Parkwood on the Gold Coast earlier this year. Picture: Facebook

NRMA weather services manager Peter Chan urged residents to be prepared with more wild weather on the way due to the La Nina weather event.

“Generally, La Nina means more wet weather will be expected for eastern Australia, including the Gold Coast,” Mr Chan said.

“There will be higher rainfall in the coming weeks and months and the chance of flooding will also be increased.”

Surfers Paradise streets and beaches were deserted as a wet weather system hovered over the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

The most impacted suburbs in the Gold Coast region in spring 2021 were:

Arundel (Also the number one most impacted town or suburb in QLD)

Parkwood (Also the 2nd most impacted town or suburb in QLD)

Southport (Also the 3rd most impacted town or suburb in QLD)

Nerang (Also the 4th most impacted town or suburb in QLD)

Ormeau

Helensvale

Coomera

Yatala

Oxenford

Gaven & Upper Coomera (equal 10th)

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