Across Australia, extreme weather events are happening more often and are becoming more intense, and South Australia is being hit the hardest. The rise in severe weather is a growing concern for the community, but the lack of preparedness leaves many people vulnerable to future disasters.
A recent study by NRMA Insurance Research, conducted by Pureprofile in November 2023 among 1,002 Australians, shows a concerning gap in Australians’ readiness for extreme weather. Nearly one in three people (32%) don’t understand the weather risks in their area, and almost half (48%) are unsure of how to prepare. Even more worrying, only 26% of Australians have an emergency plan in place.
In South Australia, the situation is even worse. While 71% of South Aussies are concerned about extreme weather getting worse, only 33% took steps to prepare last spring, well below the national average of 38%.
Among the hardest-hit areas in the state is South Adelaide, with over 20% of all weather-related claims last spring. While 43% of residents have taken some steps to protect their homes, many still forget simple precautions like securing outdoor furniture or cleaning gutters.
With the hot weather showing no signs of letting up and the risk of extreme weather rising, experts are urging homeowners to take action now. To help South Aussies get prepared, NRMA Insurance, in partnership with the Australian Red Cross, is offering free EmergencyRedi™ Workshops across Australia, to help educate about the specific weather risks in their areas and teach them how to prepare for extreme weather.
The latest workshop took place this week in Onkaparinga to help educate people in the south, with more expected in the future.
For more information, visit NRMA’s website.
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