Home

Severe weather fears on the rise: NRMA

Robyn WuthAAP
The floods in NSW and southeast Queensland led to more than 30,000 insurance claims.
Camera IconThe floods in NSW and southeast Queensland led to more than 30,000 insurance claims. Credit: AAP

Australians fear the catastrophic weather systems that battered the east coast are becoming more severe and happening more often, research has found.

The data from insurer NRMA reveals autumn was the third-worst season for weather-related home damage on record, behind the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and the summer of 2018-19.

There were more than 25,000 claims for weather damage across Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT throughout autumn.

It followed the devastating floods in NSW and southeast Queensland in February and March, with more than 30,000 insurance claims or damage to homes, property and vehicles.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Ballina recorded the greatest number of severe weather home and motor claims in NSW this autumn.

Northern areas of Sydney were also hit hard, with Castle Hill and Wahroonga among the most affected suburbs.

In Queensland, the Gold and Sunshine coasts and the Logan-Beaudesert area recorded the greatest number of severe weather home and motor claims.

Across the country, more than than 77 per cent of Australians are convinced that natural disasters are happening more often, prompting calls for greater investment in disaster mitigation.

The NRMA data also shows one in three believe communities are not prepared for wild weather and climate change is making the wild weather worse.

Women are more concerned about the growing threat of natural disasters compared with men at 83 per cent to 71 per cent.

“Over the past two years, Australians have faced some of the most devastating natural disasters and extreme weather in decades,” NRMA executive general manager of claims Luke Gallagher said.

“The recent flood crisis has strengthened Australians’ resolve for all levels of government to take action on climate change and disaster mitigation to keep communities safer.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails