The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is encouraging community members to get prepared ahead of what is expected to be a very wet storm season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to predictions made by the Bureau of Meteorology, the incoming storm season which run until March next year is likely to bring with it sever weather conditions including heavy rain and flash flooding.
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York stressed that potential events such as these meant that communities needed to take preparing for adverse weather events seriously.
"The more you can do now to prepare, the less likely you will end up needing emergency assistance from our volunteers when these weather events it," Commissioner York said.
Erin Sinclair, a volunteer with the Griffith SES unit said that the next few weeks were a good time to get ready.
"We generally ask people to have a look around their houses for anything that could potentially be an issue in the event of adverse weather," Mrs Sinclair said.
"It especially important to tie down any outside furniture or objects such as trampolines which have the potential to be moved and lifted which happens more often than you would think".
New data released by NRMA insurance noted that in winter alone, Griffith recorded the 5th most wild weather claims of any town in NSW.
The data also revealed that Griffith was the number one most impacted town in the Murray - Murrumbidgee region by adverse weather events.
READ MORE
According to Mrs Sinclair, clearing gutters from all blockages, and being mindful of access points to your property were other important steps in preparing for storm season.
"If a gutter is full of leaves water can backflow into peoples houses, and flood into the rood which as you can imagine causes a significant amount of damage," Mrs Sinclair said.
"Trees during storm events also pose a risk factor, branches can drop easily and they are a good lightning conduit as well so don't park under trees."
If you would like more information about how to prepare an emergency evacuation kit, making sure your gutters and downpipes are clear, to planning for your animals please visit ses.nsw.gov.au
To find out the latest weather warnings and forecasts, visit the Bureau of Meteorology's website at bom.gov.au
For emergency assistance in storms or floods, call 132 500. If the situation is life threatening, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.areanews.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News