SES storm warning with Chief Superintendent Andrew Cribb - Newcastle Herald
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00:00 So today marks the start of the storm season officially for the NSW SES.
00:05 From September through to March we are expecting drier conditions in the long-term forecast.
00:13 However, we are expecting significant storms to be occurring in that time.
00:18 The NSW SES message is pretty simple with this.
00:22 Please prepare your properties and limit the damage to those properties in your actions.
00:31 Please clear your drains so that they are not overflowing and damaging the roofs.
00:36 Please secure any loose items, trampolines, toys, sheds and things that can blow around when those storms hit.
00:45 As well as trim the tree branches that may fall on your house.
00:52 These are all of our most common issues that we deal with during the major storms.
01:00 In the last storm season the SES had 14,000 storm jobs and approximately 2,000 of those were in the Northern Zone area
01:10 from the Central Coast through to Nambucca Heads.
01:14 We had several severe storm events recently in the Newcastle Central Coast and Lake Macquarie area
01:20 where we had over 1,000 jobs in one afternoon.
01:24 And we had a mini tornado that hit Port Macquarie early in the summer of last year.
01:31 These are events that we are expecting may happen again even though we have got that drier outlook
01:37 which is why we are requesting that the public secure all that loose property and stay out of floodwaters.
01:43 Whilst we are not expecting that severe rain water, the storms that we are expecting do release heavy amounts of rain
01:52 in a very short period of time which creates flash flooding.
01:55 So we can't emphasise enough to the public, please stay out of floodwaters, do not drive through them, do not walk through them.
02:03 They are dangerous.
02:05 You mentioned the drier season that is predicted.
02:09 It is also meant to be a warmer season as well.
02:12 Does that impact on the storm forecast?
02:15 It does.
02:17 As the land heats up, the air heats up above it and creates those convection clouds that start with those storms.
02:23 Hence the concern that the SES have.
02:27 Likewise, the lightning events that come from those storms can create other environmental issues for us and other emergency services
02:36 which is why we need to get the messaging of the storm season out there that people understand to stay out of, to secure themselves and to stay out of the floodwaters.
02:46 What is the short term forecast?
02:48 Could we see storms coming through soon?
02:50 We obviously had some last night.
02:53 Luckily there wasn't much damage.
02:55 The majority of that activity happened offshore.
02:58 We are expecting more storms later this week across the whole coast.
03:04 We are expecting a lot more over the next couple of weeks as well.
03:08 How are the SES preparing for storm season?
03:12 Have you got your volunteers on deck and all your gear?
03:14 We are 24/7, 365 days and the teams are ready for callout that way.
03:20 We have been working hard on our capability and training of the members.
03:24 We have had a lot of experience over the last couple of years with the floods that have been occurring.
03:29 We have restocked, replenished and had a little bit of downtime so that the volunteers are raring to go.
03:37 Are you recruiting more volunteers as well or is that something you are looking to do or encouraging?
03:42 Yes, we are actively recruiting volunteers.
03:44 Every single one of our LGAs has an SES unit attached to them and every single one of those units needs some volunteers.
03:54 Whether it be specific to our storm response, whether it be in assisting with logistics and catering and things like that or as flood rescue operators.
04:04 There is a job for everyone in the SES.
04:06 You mentioned preparing your homes and properties and things like that.
04:10 I know even just in Illawarra in the past couple of weeks I think there has been two people struck by lightning unfortunately.
04:16 I suppose what is the message for personal safety as well during storms?
04:21 Try and shelter from those storms.
04:25 Not only do we have the lightning strikes but also people getting hit by hail.
04:30 But it is more the debris which is the majority of where the injuries occur.
04:34 Where you are in a severe weather event, always seek shelter.
04:38 That is the best course of action.
04:40 There is no use in getting your hair wet when there is no need to.
04:45 Where is the best place for the community to get the warnings and know when a storm is approaching their region?
04:52 You can have a look at the Hazards Near Me app but also the NSW SES website.
04:59 The Facebook pages for your local unit will always promote any of the severe weather events that are moving through.
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