It was a winter of wild weather- not as bad as 2022 but still among the worst in recent years, according to a new report from NRMA.
The report said 6,527 NSW residents lodged claims for wild weather damage this winter. The East Coast Low and Trough in early July triggered three major events in two weeks, accounting for a third of winter’s total claims. Extreme rainfall and snow in August added to the damage bill.
Central and Mid North Coasts were the hardest hit regions, with Grafton and South West Rocks recording the highest number of claims by town.
The research showed 72 per cent of residents were concerned about strong wind damage to their properties (above hail at 56 per cent and bushfires at 33 per cent).
So what can we do about it?
With storm season now upon us, NRMA Insurance and Australian Red Cross are hosting a free EmergencyRedi Workshop this Friday, 19 September 2025 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Dee Why RSL. To register for the Dee Why workshop, please go here.
“Knowing your local risks and how to prepare is an important step in protecting yourself, your family and your community,” NRMA Insurance Executive Manager Community Impact, Jennifer Cobley said.
“One in three Australians are not aware of the steps they need to take to prepare for an extreme weather emergency, so we’ve partnered with Australian Red Cross to provide free education to communities across Australia.
“Now, more than ever, it’s critical Australians are prepared for extreme weather, yet our research shows only half have an emergency plan in place.”
Research from NRMA Insurance showed a need for greater emergency preparedness as nearly one in four Australians (23 per cent) don’t have a good understanding of extreme weather risks in their local area, and one in three are not aware of the steps they need to take to prepare for an extreme weather emergency.
Additionally, 61 per cent of Australians don’t have an emergency plan to help them respond to an extreme weather event.
“These EmergencyRedi™ workshops benefit community members because they make them actually think about what’s in their area,” Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi™ Trainer, Bernie Boag said.
“It makes them look at what support already exists in the area. It gets them to look at their physical capabilities and emotional capabilities, and they can address areas they may need help to enact a plan or to keep themselves safe.
“It also looks at their mental side and their emotions and getting them to learn to remain calm so that they can actually enact their plan. And then the practical side in getting them to pack up their things, what they need, and put it into a place that they can easily grab and then go.”
The EmergencyRedi™ workshop will cover four key areas and help you create a RediPlan®:
- Get in the Know – Know the risks you face, including weather risks in your local area, how your life might be disrupted and who can help.
- Get Connected – How to connect to your community to help each other in an emergency.
- Get Organised – Make a plan and ensure you’re covered to reduce stress and save you precious time as you recover.
- Get Packing – Get practical and learn what items to pack that will help you during and after an emergency.
More wild weather on its way
NRMA has warned eastern Australian communities, like the Northern Beaches, that wetter-than-average conditions, increasing the risk of flooding across already saturated landscapes, are on their way.
An above-average frequency of low-pressure systems may fuel a rise in coastal troughs and severe thunderstorms through the east, with the potential for hailstones and damaging winds during storm events.
The above-average rainfall is likely to dampen the bushfire risk for large parts of the east, with a below-average bushfire risk forecast throughout spring (some good news).
To register for the Free EmergencyRedi™ Workshop this Friday, 19 September 2025 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Dee Why RSL, please go here.
You can also download the Get Prepared App.
