Helping Central Coast and Hunter communities prepare for floods

With the prospect of another wet Storm Season bringing the very real risk of floods, NSW State Emergency Service is launching a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of floods within local communities.

Launched on Sunday 26 September, the Floods. The Risk is Real, campaign encourages communities throughout the Hunter and Central Coast - including Tuggerah Lakes, Wyong, Dora Creek, Lake Macquarie, Wallsend, Newcastle, Tomaree, Port Stephens, Maitland and Singleton - to be aware of their risk of floods and take steps to get prepared.

Commander of the service's Northern Zone, Chief Superintendent Stephen Patterson, said communities have experienced flooding before and they will again.

"The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that this Storm Season, which will run from October to March, we are likely to see a repeat of the conditions experienced last season.

"We all saw what the last season brought, with many across the region hit hard by the major flooding in March.

"That's why it's really important everyone, whether it be residents, business owners, and even people who travel into the area for work, know their risks and to have a plan," he said.

We hope it will help communities better understand their level of risk and the practical steps they can take now to help protect themselves from flooding, which can ultimately save lives and property

Luke Gallagher

NRMA Insurance Executive General Manager, Direct Claims

Mr Patterson explained the campaign is designed to help people, especially newcomers to the area, know what they can do before a severe weather event strikes.

"As part of the campaign, our local volunteers have highlighted their community's flood risks in a series of videos, produced with support from the service's Principal Partner NRMA Insurance," Mr Patterson said.

"Our volunteers have seen first-hand the difference good preparation can make when floods hit their community and that's what we want to encourage more of," he added.

NRMA Insurance Executive General Manager Direct Claims, Luke Gallagher, said the insurer was proud to partner with NSW SES on the campaign.

"We hope it will help communities better understand their level of risk and the practical steps they can take now to help protect themselves from flooding, which can ultimately save lives and property," Mr Gallagher said.

More resources on preparing for severe weather

As Australia's largest general insurer, we see first-hand the heartbreaking impact severe weather, including storms and flooding, has on our customers and communities.

Beyond providing the immediate and practical support our customers need during and after a disaster, we're always looking for ways to help communities become better prepared, stronger and more resilient. Here are some of the resources we've created to help communities understand their risk and the steps they can take to prepare:

NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker - This seasonal report uses NRMA Insurance claims data to track the impact of severe weather in NSW, QLD and the ACT. It aims to help communities understand that wild weather is getting more severe and happening more often, and it outlines practical steps people can take to be better prepared, which could ultimately help save lives and property.

Flood fact sheet - The IAG flood fact sheet outlines the factors that put properties at-risk of flooding and highlights the local government areas in each state that are at highest risk. It also helps people understand the potential damage and clean-up or repair costs they may face if their home is damaged by flooding.

Tropical cyclone fact sheet - The tropical cyclone fact sheet created in partnership with the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station, provides an overview of the key areas that are at-risk and outlines the different wind regions and wind classifications that homeowners should be aware of when building or renovating their homes.

Bushfire fact sheets - With bushfire seasons getting longer and more severe, we released two fact sheets to help people understand their bushfire risk and prepare for future bushfire seasons.