Insurance brokers across Australia are on high alert as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says a severe storm system is sweeping the nation from Friday through to Sunday. Driven by low-pressure troughs pulling moisture from the tropical north, the storms are expected to generate flash flooding and cause possible power outages, travel disruptions and hazardous driving conditions. BOM has warned of the prospect of widespread damage to cars and other property.  

“Storms could bring damaging wind gusts, large hail and locally heavy falls that could lead to flash flooding,” said a BOM news release.

Storm impacts anticipated in all states and territories

BOM said Saturday’s bad weather will focus on NSW and Queensland in an area that spans from western Sydney to Brisbane. However, severe impacts are possible across most of the east coast from the Top End to Tasmania and extending into SA and WA.

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For businesses in South East Queensland, this weekend is an escalation of the frequent and intense electrical storms they’ve already experienced for several weeks.

“Many businesses and households have suffered power surges and outages,” said Lisa Carter, CEO of Clear Insurance in Brisbane.

For some brokers and their clients, storms of this intensity are definitely on their radar at this time of year and they’re going into this weekend prepared.

“We’ve had internal staff training and refresher courses on processes just last week to prepare for the coming season,” said Daniel Berry, partner with Dudgreon Berry Insurance Group in Lismore.

Brokers work to keep businesses running

Carter said her clients will likely be acting on the risk mitigation advice that’s relevant to them and - as recommended by her firm’s risk engineering partners - on the best way to implement business safeguards to be prepared for this round of intense storms.

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“We encourage our clients to think about what risk exposures could be impacted by storm events that lead to asset damage or impacts on cash flow or people in their business,” she said.

Many brokers are closely monitoring BOM alerts on the current storms and stand ready to assist clients.

“We will extend our operating hours if required,” said Berry.

Brokers like Berry and Carter hope the risk management advice and help they provide will help keep these businesses running through what could be a very challenging weekend.