Weather authorities have issued multiple warnings as extreme weather affects Victoria and prolonged heavy rain settles over Central Australia, with insurers monitoring potential property damage, infrastructure disruption, and claims activity across several states.
On Feb. 24, a series of severe weather and flood warnings were in place across Victoria as a fast-moving storm band moved across Melbourne and large parts of the state, bringing short‑duration, intense rainfall, and localised flash flooding. Authorities advised residents in affected suburbs to remain indoors as power outages impacted more than 7,000 customers and some transport routes were cut. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe thunderstorm warning covering Melbourne’s northern, eastern, and southern suburbs, extending into South Gippsland. “Very dangerous” storms were detected near Greensborough, Camberwell, Preston, and Reservoir around mid‑afternoon before tracking south and south‑east through the metropolitan area and into regional districts.
BOM senior forecaster Daniel Hayes said some locations recorded rainfall rates near one millimetre per minute. “We have seen a few places that have been coming close to that one millimetre per minute. There is the potential that we could see some quite significant flash-flooding risk as those thunderstorms continue to move through the areas,” Hayes said, as reported by 9News. Reported totals included 32.2mm in one hour at Gisborne, northwest of Melbourne, to 2:24pm, and about 38mm at nearby Spring Hill in a similar timeframe. In inner Melbourne, flash flooding occurred at the Dudley Street overpass in West Melbourne, briefly submerging two vehicles before waters receded. A bridge at York Street in South Melbourne was closed due to flooding, and emergency warnings were issued for suburbs such as Preston, Coburg, and Craigieburn, as well as the township of Warburton to the east.
Operations at Melbourne Airport were disrupted as heavy rain, fog, and nearby lightning affected visibility and aircraft movements, including the diversion of a Virgin Australia flight from Hobart. The BoM indicated that six‑hourly falls of 40mm to 70mm were possible across locations including Echuca, Bendigo, Seymour, Mount Buller, Warragul, and the broader Melbourne metropolitan area. Warnings were also issued for livestock and for communities in recently burned catchments, where reduced ground cover can increase the speed of runoff. Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) reported around 250 requests for assistance between midday on Feb. 22 and 10am on Feb. 23, including incidents in the Wodonga area after localised flash flooding. VICSES chief officer of operations Alistair Drayton urged communities to take precautions around their homes and avoid driving through inundated roads. “If severe weather is impacting your area, consider delaying travel where possible and staying indoors until conditions improve. Never drive through floodwater,” Drayton said.
While Victoria has been exposed to short, intense storm bursts, Central Australia and surrounding inland regions are facing several days of sustained rainfall linked to a slow‑moving low‑pressure trough. The BoM has issued a widespread flooding risk for parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, including remote desert areas that typically receive low annual rainfall. The system has already produced significant totals. In the Northern Territory, 79mm was recorded at The Granites and 78mm at Jervois in the 24 hours from 9am on Feb. 24. Southwestern Queensland sites reported 69mm at Bedourie and 52mm at Noocatunga, while in northwestern New South Wales, Winithe recorded 120mm and Smithville 51mm. In South Australia, Moomba recorded 36mm, with further falls forecast. “These regions are expected to receive a further 100mm to 200mm of rainfall during this week,” BOM senior meteorologist Angus Hines said, as reported by News.com.au. For the Simpson, Strzelecki, Sturt Stony, and Tirari deserts, which normally receive about 100mm in an entire year, modelling points to totals of up to 400mm over a relatively short period. “As a lower pressure area lingers over the next several days, a daily total of 50mm to 100mm is possible, with higher amounts where thunderstorms develop,” Hines said.
Central Australia’s flat terrain and limited river and creek networks reduce natural drainage capacity, increasing the likelihood of broad, shallow floodwaters, and extended isolation of communities and infrastructure. The Australian Rail Track Corporation has closed parts of the East–West rail line linking Perth, Adelaide, and the eastern states after floodwaters washed away sections of track. Road closures and access constraints are being reported along key inland routes, with further disruption possible if the trough persists or shifts toward southeastern Australia. For insurers, the combination of short, high‑intensity rainfall in urban centres and prolonged inland downpours in typically dry regions is testing flood mapping, accumulation assumptions, and the robustness of transport and supply chain links that underpin many business interruption programmes.
Alongside the current weather pattern, new data suggest increased public attention towards severe storms and cyclones, although this interest does not consistently translate into systematic preparation. Google Australia’s “Year in Search 2025” report listed “Cyclone Alfred” as the most‑searched term nationwide and “how to prepare for a cyclone” as the second most‑asked “how‑to” query. FM operations chief engineer Michael Hunneyball, who advises on cyclone resilience for critical infrastructure across the Asia‑Pacific, said the search data provide a view of current risk concerns. “Google’s ‘Year in Search’ represents a real-time barometer of the risks Australians are thinking about and acting on. The data reflects yet another significant year for natural hazards, showing preparedness and risk management are top-of-mind for Australian people and businesses,” Hunneyball said.
Hunneyball noted that search activity alone does not ensure households or organisations are ready to respond when an event occurs. “Public awareness is pivotal for protecting homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure during natural disasters. Preparedness searches often spike after major events, but the challenge is building that knowledge before the hazards strike, so you’re able to respond quickly and with certainty,” he said. He added that “in a year defined by climate extremes, global instability, and rapid technological change, Australians’ search habits show that resilience thinking is moving into the mainstream, and that’s something every industry can build on. As the number and severity of natural disasters like cyclones rise, there has never been a more important time for businesses to revisit their cyclone response plans and ensure they remain educated and prepared.”
Survey findings from AAMI and Youi indicate gaps in basic storm and disaster preparation, despite recent events and increased online interest in severe weather. AAMI’s nationwide poll of more than 2,000 adults, conducted in October 2025, found that only 9% of respondents correctly identified Sept. 1 as the official start of storm season. Around two‑thirds could not name the date, and roughly one‑quarter believed there was no formal start. The AAMI research also pointed to limited understanding of recommended maintenance frequency. According to the survey, 78% of respondents were not aware that storm‑proofing tasks such as clearing gutters and checking roofs are advised four times a year. Recognition of this guidance varied by state, with Queensland respondents most likely to answer correctly, followed by those in Western Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Separate Youi research, based on responses from more than 2,000 Australians, found that 81% reported having experienced extreme weather but fewer than 40% felt adequately prepared to respond. Only 17% said they had developed and practised a comprehensive emergency plan, and 41% were unsure what steps to take during a disaster. While many respondents reported taking at least one preventive action in the past year, such as clearing gutters or inspecting roofing, almost one in five said they had not undertaken any preparedness activity.
The combination of severe thunderstorms in Victoria, flood‑generating systems over Central Australia, and documented preparedness gaps across households and small businesses has implications for pricing, underwriting, and exposure management in flood‑ and cyclone‑prone regions. The events highlight sensitivity not only to direct property damage but also to transport and infrastructure outages that can extend business interruption and recovery timeframes.
The current conditions may lead insurers, brokers, and risk advisers to place more weight on pre‑season communication about maintenance, emergency planning, and continuity measures, alongside traditional post‑event claims handling. As late‑summer weather systems continue to track across eastern and central Australia, the sector is expected to monitor how changes in hazard awareness among policyholders relate to mitigation behaviour, coverage choices, and subsequent loss experience.
