The Australian climate is often one of extremes. Dorothea Mackellar sums it up perfectly in her poem My Country, a sunburnt country…of droughts and flooding rains. Recent years have certainly proved this observation to be true, with record-breaking weather events impacting many parts of our continent.
Australia’s weather, known for its unpredictable nature, often leads to the emergence of extreme weather events. The period from November to March is particularly volatile, witnessing a surge in severe weather activity. Recent years have seen insurance companies faced with record numbers of claims, amounting to billions of dollars, from communities devastated by floods and storms.
With the frequency and intensity of weather events seemingly on the rise, it’s a pressing call to action to reassess your organisation’s readiness to handle, respond to, and recover from a significant weather event.
Understand your risk
- Is your property on a flood plain, near a water course or cyclone-prone area?
- Has your area been subject to flooding previously (either due to a flooding river or drainage unable to cope with large volumes of rain)?
- Would this result in damage to your property or contents?
- How would it affect your operations?
- What impact would it have on staff?
- Are data systems or church records at risk?
Preparing and Planning (before a weather event happens)
- Have you developed an emergency action plan?
- Do you have a business continuity plan?
- Are your computer systems protected and backed up?
- Are staff trained in implementing your plans?
- Is your insurance adequate and up to date?
- Do you have an emergency contact list?
- Has your property been maintained to minimise the impact of a claim?
Responding (a weather event is imminent)
- Have you downloaded weather/warning apps?
- Are additional resources able to be accessed to protect your property (e.g. sandbags, water pumps, hoarding, alternate storage locations)?
- Are key electronic records securely stored offsite?
- Do you have a clearly documented communication chain?
- Are hazardous materials safely stored or able to be removed from site?
Recovery (after a significant weather event)
- Have you implemented your business continuity plan?
- Can you communicate your recovery plans with your members?
- Have you contacted your Insurance Broker or Insurer?
- Continue to stay informed of ongoing situation
- Follow local authority advice
- Review your flood and storm plan and update if necessary
The Australian Government’s business.gov.au website is an excellent resource for preparing your emergency management plans. It provides helpful downloadable documents including:
- What is an emergency management plan and how to prepare one
- What to do in an emergency
- Preparing your continuity plan
- Preparing your recovery plan
Read more here.
Preparing your property for storm, flood, fire or cyclone
Extreme weather events cannot be avoided, however, how we prepare for them can certainly minimise their impact on our properties and activities. A robust property maintenance program is key to reducing potential damage to your assets and assisting in recovery.
Prepare your property now by:
- Ensuring roofs, gutters and stormwater drains are well maintained and clear of debris
- Removing or securing outdoor equipment (shade sails, outdoor furniture, play equipment, bins)
- Cutting back overhanging trees
- Relocating valuable equipment or contents to an alternative/safe location, or lift equipment above potential floodwater levels
- In the event of possible flooding, sandbag perimeter of your building to reduce ingress of flood water. Place sandbags in toilet bowls and over floor wastes and drains to prevent the backflow of sewerage and grey water into the premises.
- Turning off electricity and gas to property at main switches
- In the event of impending high wind/cyclone activity
- Fitting glass windows and doors with storm shutters or hoarding
- Installing security mesh or robust, well fitted insect screens on windows
- Protecting skylights with mesh screens
- Reinforcing roller doors to withstand strong winds
- Ensuring that flammable materials are stored safely and fuel sources (e.g. cardboard, garden debris etc) are not stored close to buildings
- Cutting long grass and overgrown foliage around properties in fire-prone areas
- Installing quality surge protection and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices to protect expensive electronic equipment and electronic data
- Documenting your assets. Whilst copies of receipts and instruction manuals are great for identifying your assets, if these are not available a video record of your equipment can be equally as helpful. Use your smartphone to video or photograph your equipment for a quick and easy asset register
How you can help us, help you
Here at ACS Insurance Services, we have developed and sourced products to protect your property and your ministry against a multitude to situations. Our staff have years of experience in assisting our clients navigate the claims process and can provide access to panels of qualified loss adjusters and repairers to set you on the path to recovery as quickly as possible.
However, there are many things that you can do that will assist and expedite the processing of a claim after a significant loss:
- Ensure that your Insurance and Protection Package is up to date
- Regularly check that building and contents values are correctly declared and represent the true replacement value of all your assets
- Following a significant weather event check on your property as soon as it is safe to do so. Report any loss or damage to your insurer as soon as possible
- In the case of water ingress, if safe and practical, begin drying out carpets and plaster and removing water-damaged contents (do not dispose of items without first consulting with your insurer).
- Temporarily secure or tarp damaged property to protect from further damage
- Document and photograph damage
- Begin seeking quotations for the repair or replacement of damaged equipment (on a like-for-like basis)
- Always co-operate with local authorities and adhere to their safety messages
Additional Resources
www.ses.vic.gov.au – Victoria State Emergency Service
https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ – Vic Emergency
www.ses.nsw.gov.au – New South Wales State Emergency Service
www.ses.sa.gov.au – South Australia State Emergency Service
www.ses.qld.gov.au – Queensland State Emergency Service
www.dfes.wa.gov.au – Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
www.ses.tas.gov.au – Tasmania State Emergency Service
www.securent.nt.gov.au – Northern Territory Government – Prepare For An Emergency
www.bom.gov.au – Bureau of Meteorology
www.redcross.org.au/prepare – Australian Red Cross -Emergency Preparedness Guide
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website reflect some of the commercial aspects and potential risks/obligations for your Church, School or Organisation. The information is given as a guide only and does not represent a definitive list or legal view in any way shape or form. You are advised to seek your own professional advice on all your individual needs. ACS Financial Pty Ltd (ACN 062 448 122) (AFSL 247388).