Natural disasters can strike without warning, and it’s clear that storm season has well and truly begun. With severe weather impacting households across our community in recent weeks, it’s more important than ever that we’re storm ready.
Get Ready Queensland brings together emergency services, councils, community groups and organisations to highlight the importance of disaster preparedness. The best way to keep yourself, your family, your pets and your possessions safe is to follow the three Get Ready steps: Know your risk, Make a plan, Pack a kit. It’s as simple as that. Research has shown that communities who follow these steps are more resilient, safer, and recover faster after extreme weather.
Queensland is no stranger to severe storms so understanding the risks and knowing what resources are available makes a big difference when the weather turns.
The Queensland Government and Get Ready Queensland websites both offer a wide range of downloadable resources to help households plan. These include emergency checklists, home preparation guides, pet plans, and links to official sources for warnings and alerts such as the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and council disaster dashboards. Staying informed before, during and after a storm is the key to staying safe.
It’s also important to check your insurance policies, both home and contents, to ensure they are current and include adequate coverage for storm-related damage. Many households find out too late that their policies do not cover flooding, temporary accommodation, or structural repairs, so reviewing your cover regularly is essential.
Preparing your home can significantly reduce the risk of damage. Simple maintenance such as trimming overhanging branches, clearing gutters and downpipes, securing outdoor furniture, and checking roofs and fences can prevent injuries, additional damage and costly repairs.
Don’t forget to check on your neighbours, particularly older residents, people living alone, people with disabilities, or families who may need extra help. Our community is known for coming together when times are tough, so let’s all do our part in keeping our community as safe as possible this storm season.
