The east coast of Australia is currently being pounded by severe weather and it’s something we’re just going to have to get used to according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
On October 11, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology released its outlook, upgrading the current weather conditions from La Niña ‘watch’ to La Niña ‘alert’. What this new alert status means is that the chance of a La Niña forming in the next few months has increased from 50% in September to 70%.
This early warning from the BOM is a great reminder to prepare for the inevitable severe weather conditions that are coming and to have plans in place to keep property and valuables protected.
What are the characteristics of La Niña?
- Increased rainfall across much of Australia
- Cooler daytime temperatures (south of the tropics)
- Warmer overnight temperatures
- Shift in temperature extremes
- Decreased frost risk
- Greater tropical cyclone numbers
- Earlier monsoon onset.
What can you do to be prepared and minimise risks?
November to March is nearly always one of the most volatile in terms of severe weather activity in Australia. As we approach the official summer months, take some time to consider what you’d need to do and how quickly you can respond if a severe weather warning like a flood, cyclone or severe rain takes place.
If you run a business, make sure your team knows where to go and what precautions to take should a severe weather event eventuate. The Australian Government’s Emergency Management team provides some helpful tips and advice on how to plan and prepare for a weather-related emergency.
In addition to your family, think about the other things that are important to you and how you would recover from their loss. Check your insurance is up to date, check any exemptions to cover and check whether the coverage you do have in place has enough ‘sum-insured’ to cover you should the worst-case scenario take place. A qualified insurance Adviser will be able to explain all the fine details of your insurance policy and point out any limitations or exemptions that may be in the fine print.
How can FIS help?
Insurance isn’t one size fits all and you want protection that suits your particular circumstances. FIS qualified Insurance Advisers don’t just place insurance – we assess your particular risks from all aspects to make sure you’re covered with insurance designed specifically for you and your individual needs. Call us today to find out how we can help.
