Preparing for extreme weather events Back
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​Towards the end of 2020, the Bureau of Meteorology announced a La Niña (a cooling of the water, which occurs at irregular intervals, associated with widespread changes in weather patterns) had been established in the tropical Pacific.

In Australia, La Niña typically increases the chance of above average rainfall, and heightens the risk of widespread flooding and cyclone events.  Locally we have seen three major events, including the significant storm activity experienced in the Gascoyne, Kimberley, and Goldfields regions.  

The last La Niña season was during 2010 – 2012, which included the devastating 2011 Queensland floods (resulting in over AUD $2bn in insured losses).

As a La Niña summer in the Pacific has been declared, it's crucial to consider the following risks:

  • Property damage and interruption
  • Power interruption
  • Prevention of access and supplier interruption
  • People risks

You can prepare for tropical cyclone risks by:

  • Actively monitoring and following the advice provided by emergency services in a timely manner
  • Locating the business continuity plan if it exists and conducting a review to ensure it is still current
  • Ensuring arrangements are in place to contact relevant stakeholders, including ensuring ready access to telephone, email and home address details
  • Securing critical records and files including accounts, customer lists, inventories
  • Activating plans to isolate or protect assets and equipment to minimise damage or loss
  • Securing property and assets to prevent potential theft and looting
  • Advising critical suppliers and customers of likely outage, impacts and alternative servicing arrangements
  • Testing arrangements to divert telephony and other critical services
  • Be timely with decision making and be prepared to be out of the business premises for multiple days
  • Reviewing and updating cyclone preparation, business continuity and crisis management plans.

For assistance in preparing for extreme weather events, contact the LGIS risk and governance team on 9483 8888, or your regional risk coordinator.

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