Volunteers of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Macquarie Region attended an average of 20 “storm jobs” a month in and around Dubbo from October 2016 to March 2017.
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They completed more than 120 jobs in the 2016/2017 storm season. Across NSW there were about 20,000 emergency call-outs, up from 16,000 in 2015/2016.
Storms and rain at the weekend have prompted a warning from the NSW SES Macquarie Region and NRMA Insurance to “get ready”.Deputy region controller Phil Lalor is asking residents not to delay in trimming trees, cleaning out gutters and downpipes and securing yard or balcony furniture and equipment. “It’s also vital that people remember to stay out of floodwater because our volunteers have already responded to numerous flood rescues this year,” he said.
It’s also vital that people remember to stay out of floodwater because our volunteers have already responded to numerous flood rescues this year.
- NSW State Emergency Service Macquarie Region deputy region controller Phil Lalor
Mr Lalor said most of the damage that occurred in the “Dubbo area” in the previous storm season was the result of trees crashing down on homes and vehicles as well as leaking and damaged roofs. “Much of this damage was preventable so we’re asking people to prepare their homes and businesses now for the impending storm season,” he said.
NRMA Insurance reports that in a typical year about half of all home claims in NSW are due to storm damage and “this figure can surge during a particularly severe storm season”.
For emergency help in storms and floods call the NSW SES on 132 500. Dial triple zero in life-threatening situations. More storm safety tips are available at: www.ses.nsw.gov.au. The Bureau of Meteorology’s seven-day forecast for Dubbo as of Tuesday reports of a 30 per cent chance of up to 2 millimetres (mm) of rain falling on Wednesday, a 50 per cent chance of 2mm on Sunday and 40 per cent chance of 1mm on Monday.