Storms or thunderstorms can be unpredictable and can occur with little warning, which is why it is important to understand your risk and have a plan in place to help reduce its effects on you, your family, home and business.

What is a storm?

Storms can comprise of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, damaging winds, lightning strikes and hail. Storms can last many hours and travel long distances, potentially causing considerable damage to homes and vehicles, and causing loss of power, isolation and flash flooding.

Severe storms or thunderstorms, as classified by the Bureau of Meteorology, are storms that are likely to produce:

  • large hail measuring more than 2cm in diameter

  • wind speeds of more than 90 km an hour, and

  • heavy rainfall conducive to flash flooding.

A severe storm warning will only be issued by the Bureau for storms that are likely to produce all three elements.

What is a severe thunderstorm?

BOM thunderstorm advice

Damage and impact

Storms have potential to cause substantial damage to homes and vehicles caused by heavy winds and large hail. They can damage significant structures such as powerlines, trees and other large objects that can be collected by large winds.

In coastal areas, large wind waves can lead to coastal erosion and flooding.

Tree down across road
Debris over road
Workers clearing away debris

Steps to reduce the impact of severe storms

Take the following steps to reduce the impact of severe storms.

Close up of family checking emergency plan
Make a household emergency and evacuation plan.
Family and JT packing emergency kit
Pack your household emergency and evacuation kits.
Johnathan Thurston
Check that you have adequate home and contents insurance in the event of a severe storm.
Man hitching boat to ute at boat ramp
Put a plan in place to protect your car, caravan and/ or boat during a severe storm.
Man on ladder cleaning gutters
Complete the home maintenance checklist for natural disasters.
Young boy looking at flooded house
Complete the home preparation checklist for severe storms.
Farm house under stormy sky
When a severe weather warning is issued take these immediate steps to keep your family safe.
Truck on flooded road
Subscribe to alerts and warnings services to stay informed of severe storms in your area.

Find out more and Get Ready

Check out these other pages and resources to help you Get Ready.