The Bureau of Meteorology is supporting StormSafe Week, 15th to 21st August 2011, an initiative of the Victoria SES. With more than $2.1 Billion of damage to Victorian properties in the last 18 months from storms alone, VICSES are encouraging the community to get prepared and minimise the risk to their home or business. Storms can happen anywhere, at anytime of the year and they are the most frequent emergencies affecting Victorians.
The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for issuing forecasts and warnings leading up to and during severe thunderstorm events. We work closely with the SES to provide critical meteorological information that assists them in planning and coordinating the emergency response.
In the past 18 months, Victoria has been hit particularly hard by storms- thinking back to the Labour Day Hailstorm in March 2010 and the recent thunderstorms in Mildura and across Melbourne in February this year. Large Hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and tornadoes are all associated with severe thunderstorms.
Recent estimates from the Insurance Council of Australia put the cost of storms in Victoria at more than $2.1 billion over the past 18 months. That equates to more than $27 million a week on average, or nearly $4 million a day in damage caused by storms alone.
This campaign is an important initiative. By taking a few small measures to prepare homes and businesses, injuries and damage can be dramatically reduced. StormSafe week is also an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful work of VICSES Volunteers.
More Information:
For further information on StormSafe Week visit, www.ses.vic.gov.au or call the Flood & Storm information line 1300 842 737 (1300VICSES).
