Suncorp Insurance reveals top ten storm-battered suburbs by state
With Australia in the depths of a third consecutive La Nina, and the Bureau of Meteorology predicting severe storms and an increased risk of widespread flooding for many parts of the country this summer - Suncorp Insurance has taken the time to analyse over 90,000 home claims across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland to bring you the top ten storm-battered suburbs in each state.
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Suncorp Insurance EGM Home Claims, Alli Smith said the figures are a stark reminder of the difficult year Australians have had weather-wise and should be viewed as a reminder that the warmer weather can bring sudden storms, cyclones and heavy rains that can lead to floods.
Ms Smith said Suncorp Insurance has released this information to act as a reminder that storm season is upon us, and now is the time to get you and your home storm-ready.
“We’ve released this list of storm-battered suburbs to remind Australians that the impact of storms and significant weather events on property can be severe, and highlight the importance of ensuring you have done everything you can to strengthen your home’s resilience against the effects of Mother Nature.”
#The top ten storm-battered suburbs by state
Victoria
Suncorp Insurance has revealed Sunbury in Melbourne’s North West, followed by Mount Eliza and Mornington, both in the Mornington Peninsula were the state’s worst storm–affected suburbs over the past financial year.
Suncorp Insurance analysed more than 30,000 weather-related home insurance claims across Victoria from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, to reveal the hardest hit suburbs.
1. Sunbury - Melbourne Metro North West
2. Mount Eliza - Mornington Peninsula
3. Mornington - Mornington Peninsula
4. Frankston - Mornington Peninsula
5. Point Cook - Melbourne Metro South West
6. Hoppers Crossing - Melbourne Metro South West
7. Mount Martha - Mornington Peninsula
8. Werribee - Melbourne Metro South West
9. Berwick - Melbourne Metro South East
10. Rye - Mornington Peninsula
New South Wales
Suncorp Insurance has revealed Boambee East and Toormina in Mid North Coast, and Armidale in the Northern Tablelands were the state’s worst storm–affected suburbs over the past financial year.
Suncorp Insurance analysed more than 32,000 weather-related home insurance claims across New South Wales from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, to reveal the hardest hit suburbs.
1. Boambee East - Mid North Coast
2. Armidale - Northern Tablelands
3. Toormina - Mid North Coast
4. Coffs Harbour - Mid North Coast
5. Mosman - Sydney Metro North East
6. Baulkham Hills - Sydney Metro North East
7. Castle Hill - Sydney Metro North East
8. Mullumbimby - Northern Rivers
9. West Ballina - Northern Rivers
10. Cranebrook - Greater Western Sydney
Queensland
Suncorp Insurance has revealed The Gap and Brighton in Brisbane’s North were the state’s worst storm–affected suburbs over the past financial year.
Suncorp Insurance analysed more than 32,000 weather-related home insurance claims across Queensland from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, to reveal the hardest hit suburbs.
1. The Gap - Brisbane North
2. Brighton - Brisbane North
3. Albany Creek - Brisbane North
4. Buderim - Sunshine Coast
5. Bracken Ridge - Brisbane North
6. Ashgrove - Brisbane North
7. Arundel - Gold Coast
8. Aspley - Brisbane North
9. Elanora - Gold Coast
=10. Morayfield - Brisbane North
=10. Biloela - Central Queensland
New research by Suncorp Insurance found that:
- 88 per cent of Victorians admit to knowing at least one activity that should be completed prior to storm season, but a third (33 per cent) admit to doing nothing to prepare,
- 90 per cent of NSW residents, admit to knowing at least one activity that should be completed prior to storm season, but more than a quarter (26 per cent) admit to doing nothing to prepare; and
- Half of Queenslanders admit to knowing at least one activity that should be completed prior to storm season, yet almost a quarter (24 per cent) admit to doing nothing to prepare.
Suncorp Insurance has been on a mission to help educate Australians on what they can do to better protect their homes in preparation for the next extreme weather event, because it isn’t a matter of ‘if’ it will happen, but when.
“We’re a state battered by extreme weather, and it is unfortunately becoming more frequent and severe,” Ms Smith said.
“We want Aussies to not only be ready for storm season, but to be resilient.”
#One House
To address the need for greater resilience, in 2021 Suncorp partnered with CSIRO, James Cook University and Room 11 Architects to design, prototype and test what could be Australia’s most resilient home – One House, a modern and functional home, with features included to help it withstand natural disasters.
This year, Suncorp took the learnings from One House and applied them to Resilience Road – a project to upgrade four homes on a street in Rockhampton.
“Our One House and Resilience Road projects highlight how easy and cost-effective it can be to strengthen the resilience of your home, and better protect them from significant weather events,” Ms Smith said.
“With summer on our doorstep, a third La Nina in full swing and wet conditions forecast for the coming months, now is the time for all Aussies to get ready and take some practical steps to protect what matters most.”
Suncorp Insurance has developed a list of some low cost and high impact things Australians can do to strengthen the resilience of their home, including:
- Cleaning/ installing gutters or downpipes
- Have the roof inspected for damaged or loose tiles
- Repair any broken sealant around windowsills to make them watertight
- Inspecting retaining walls
- Fix any corrosion, loose fittings, and rotting or termite infected timber
- Installing fixed, operable high performance mesh screens on doors and windows
“These solutions would dramatically reduce the financial, emotional and social costs associated with recovering from natural disasters,” Ms Smith said.
“And we encourage all Aussies to do what they can to prevent their home from becoming a statistic this summer.”
