05/09/2023
10:46 AM
The
NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is urging residents to be
prepared and have a plan in place, ahead of the 2023-24 storm season.
While
this year’s weather forecast is set to bring dry and hot
conditions, the threat of increased storm activity remains.
Minister
for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said community preparation is key.
“While
this year’s warmer months are expected to be vastly different to
what we’ve experienced in recent years, we are still moving in to
peak storm season across the state,” Minister Dib said.
“It
is important to know the storm risk, have a plan in place, get your
home ready, be aware of what you will do if disaster strikes, and
look out for one another.
“I
would like to thank the NSW SES in advance for everything they will
do for the communities across NSW during the upcoming storm season.”
NSW
SES Commissioner Carlene York APM said now is not the time for
communities to be complacent.
“Throughout
storm season severe weather, such as flooding due to isolated heavy
rainfall, strong wind events and damaging hail, can all have
significant impacts on communities,” Commissioner York said.
“Last
storm season our volunteers responded to more than 14,000
storm-related jobs throughout NSW. We are urging the community to get
prepared by undertaking some simple activities around the house.
“Clean
your gutters, downpipes and drains, secure and put away any loose
items around your backyard and balcony, and trim trees and branches
that could fall onto your home.”
Bureau
of Meteorology senior climatologist Hugh McDowell said the long-range
forecast shows that NSW can expect much less rainfall than last year
and lower than median rainfall through Spring.
"There
is also a very high chance of daytime maximum and overnight minimum
temperatures being higher than usual," Mr McDowell said.
"Spring
rainfall is likely to be suppressed across NSW by a developing El
Nino and Positive Indian Ocean Dipole.
"Whilst
these two climate drivers can reduce overall rainfall their influence
on severe storms is less pronounced. We can expect the number of
severe storms to be close to historical averages this year."
Spring
is the peak time for severe thunderstorms along Australia's east
coast. East Coast Lows can also bring storms in early spring,
increasing the risk of hail, damaging winds and flash flooding.
Mr
McDowell said the overall flood risk has been assessed as close to
average.
"Whilst
the Spring outlook is drier and warming, severe storms can bring
significant rainfall in short periods, so flood risks remain for some
catchments.”
Commissioner
York said the NSW SES is ready and able to respond to storm activity.
“The
NSW SES and Bureau of Meteorology recently signed a five-year
partnership agreement that results in dedicated meteorology and
hydrology services embedded within the NSW SES,” Commissioner York
said.
“These
roles provide direct access to decision support for all severe
weather warnings from the Bureau as well as the ability to run and
analyse flood modelling on any catchment at any time.
“This
partnership with the Bureau puts NSW SES in a strong position to
plan, prepare and respond to this year's severe weather season and
spring flood risks."
Between
October 2022 and March 2023, the NSW SES responded to more than
14,000 storm-related incidents. These incidents were not related to
the widespread campaign flooding that took place across the state. Of
these incidents, 544 occurred in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area,
544 in Ku-ring-gai, 469 in Hornsby, 377 in Sutherland, 373 in Dubbo
and 650 in the Central Coast (Gosford and Wyong).
For
more information on how to get ready ahead of this year’s storm
season, visit
www.ses.nsw.gov.au/getready
