Personal Experience with Severe Weather Preperation
It was October 25, 2020—a particularly exciting day for us at Weatherwatch. Our HailTracker system had just gone live, issuing its first hail alerts through our friends at The Early Warning Network. Our research team headed out to test the data, and during the process, a particularly intense thunderstorm developed west of Brisbane—with my home directly in its path.
As a seasoned storm chaser and meteorologist with over 25 years of experience, I still get that uneasy feeling when a high-end storm approaches. This storm became a "high-precipitation supercell," producing destructive winds and giant hail. The storm hit hard, and getting home was a challenge due to the kilometres of twisted powerlines and fallen trees. As someone who routinely works with electricity networks, I knew immediately: the power would be off for a long time.
Thankfully, our home wasn't damaged, though we lost many trees. Thanks to our preparations—spare batteries, food, water, and a sense of humour (necessary when you have tank water meaning no water when there's no power - cold bucket showers anyone?) we weathered the storm and the extended blackout without too much inconvenience.
It was a clear reminder of the importance of preparing for storm season. Most people don’t think about it until it’s too late, but with a bit of planning, you can make life much easier during severe weather. Here's how to get started:
Prepare for the Storm Season
Taking action now can save you time and stress later. Here are three key steps to take before storm season:
1. Create an Emergency Kit
Your emergency kit should have essentials in case you lose power or need to leave your home. At a minimum, it should include:
Drinking water
Non-perishable food & a can opener
Torch with spare batteries
For a complete list, check out the Queensland Government’s emergency plan.
Tip: Rotate the food and water in your kit each year to ensure nothing goes out of date.
2. Prepare Your Home
A little maintenance can go a long way in preventing damage during storms:
Clear gutters and drains to avoid water damage
Trim overhanging branches to reduce the risk of falling trees
Know alternate routes to your home in case roads are blocked
3. Create a “What-If” Plan
Don't wait until the storm hits to figure out your plan. Sit down with your family and discuss:
Who will pick up the kids if you can't?
Where will you go if you need to evacuate?
What will you do with your pets?
Does everyone know where the emergency supplies are?
Having a plan in place will reduce stress during the event.
When Severe Weather is Approaching
There are many websites available to track storms in real-time. For detailed, up-to-the-minute information, tools like MetCentre are especially useful. MetCentre performs complex calculations every five minutes to assess and categorise the intensity of each thunderstorm, showing the storm’s direction and expected impact times.
While this information is helpful, your safety should always come first. Use the site that works best for you, but always prioritise shelter and following safety advice.
An example of automatic severe thunderstorm detection on MetCentre radar.
As soon as you know a storm is coming, it’s time to get ready:
Stay Informed: Monitor weather updates and warnings
Secure Loose Items: Move outdoor furniture and equipment inside
Charge Devices: Make sure your phone and power bank are fully charged
Take Shelter: Bring pets inside, close windows, and move to a safe area inside your home.
During a Severe Storm
Once the storm hits, safety is your priority:
Stay Indoors: Avoid windows and using electrical appliances
Take Shelter: Use an interior room or hallway for protection
After the Storm
Once the danger has passed, there are still important steps to take. In fact, most people are injured or killed after the storm rather than during the storm.
Check for Hazards: Look out for fallen power lines and report them. If you see fallen powerlines, stay well away as they may have fallen a long way from where you expect
Help Others: If it's safe to do so, check on your neighbours and see if they need help if you do not
Document Damage: Take photos for insurance claims
Avoid Floodwaters: Don’t risk driving or walking through them - each year people die by driving through floodwaters.
Tip: Lodge your insurance claim early. During a major storm or disaster, there can be a long wait for assessors or repairers, and the earlier you lodge the sooner you'll be able to get life back to normal.
Insurers often use realtime hail & severe thunderstorm mapping to quickly identify impacted areas: Weatherwatch HailTracker
By following these simple steps, you can reduce the stress and inconvenience that come with severe weather.
Weatherwatch works with hundreds of companies across Australia to supply them with specialised weather forecasts and weather mapping to prepare for severe weather. If you’d like to know how we can help you, reach out to our team today.
But most importantly - I urge you to take steps this (and future) storm seasons to keep you and your family safe. Preparing for natural disasters like severe storms and tropical cyclones is much like insurance. Most likely, you won't need it - but if you have it, it can make your life a lot easier during a severe weather event!
Anthony Cornelius
Weatherwatch Managing Director
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