Heavier than average anticipated rainfall is prompting local emergency service providers to encourage Shepparton residents to prepare their properties for flood risks over the summer months. But where should you begin, and how do you know if your property is as protected as it can be?
Below, we’ll be outlining some key measures Shepparton households can take to safeguard their property from storm damage.
Guard against potential leaks and short circuited cooling
Electrical and plumbing risks are amongst the most costly types of damage for property owners during storm seasons. This includes damage accrued by roof and ceiling leaks, as well as short-circuited cooling in HVAC systems which if left unchecked, can lead to even more dangerous electrical faults.
If you suspect your property is experiencing leaky pipes or have spotted signs of water damage to your ceiling or roof cavity, then call an emergency plumber or roof plumber to conduct an immediate inspection. Finding and addressing the sources of damage here can help reduce risks of minor leaks snowballing into costlier problems (like widespread damage or mould growth).
The same goes for electrical faults. Homeowners are urged to keep an eye out for warning signs like flickering lights or blown fuses to ensure that their home’s electrical system stays safe and in good working order all through the summer rainfall. Be sure to book a scheduled maintenance appointment with your local emergency electrician or HVAC specialist to ensure that all systems are prepared for use over the summer.
Note: being proactive is always better than being reactive, so the best plan is to get your heating and cooling serviced as promptly as possible. That way, you can pinpoint any areas for repairs or updates before any damage occurs.
Maintain gardens and gutters
Unkempt gardens and clogged gutters can be disaster zones during summer storms, and can quickly lead to issues like waterlogging, mould and mildew growth, and physical damage to your property’s roof, ceilings, and walls. Unkempt gardens and overgrown trees can also leave your property at greater risk of fires resulting from thunderstorms.
To keep your property and household protected, local emergency officials encourage homeowners to conduct some pre-season tree cutting, clearance and trimming. Make sure that, provided it's safe, you also check that your drains and downpipes are not blocked. Alongside resulting in water pooling on your roof, clogged gutters can also lead to flooding and pest infestations on your property, ultimately compromising the structural integrity of your home and leaving your family at risk of respiratory illness or even physical injuries.
Secure your outdoor furniture
It may seem like the last thing to consider, but that outdoor dining table or trampoline can become a hazard in the most violent of storms. So if there are heavy winds predicted to hit your area, make sure you secure your outdoor furniture from being displaced. If possible, consider storing your outdoor furnishings securely indoors (i.e. in a shed or garage space), or keep them undercover rather than out in the open where they’re more likely to be exposed to damaging winds.
If relocating your outdoor furniture isn’t an option, then consider using tarps to keep furniture covered and even anchored down via the use of pins or clamps. Weighing furnishings down with sandbags is also recommended.
Park away from trees and check your insurance policies
The early onset of storms, particularly in monsoonal or summer weather can be unpredictable. Even if the forecasts promise mild weather, residents are still advised to make a habit of parking their cars and vehicles securely in their garages or at least away from tall trees with overhanging branches.
Similarly, residents are also encouraged to review their insurance policies (home and car insurance) to determine the extent of their storm cover. Insurance considerations are especially important for local farming communities as well, as claims for severe storm damage are expected to rise with the effects of more volatile weather events on the forecast for this season and through to early autumn.
Prepare an emergency kit and action plan
When faced with the onset of a summer storm, being prepared for the worst is vitally important. So make sure your household continues to monitor forecasts over the season, and run through your emergency action plan to ensure all members of the family are on the same page.
What you do in the first 72 hours before a storm hits is often crucial. Stock your emergency kit with necessary items. These can include:
- Battery operated radio
- Torches
- Non perishable food (i.e. muesli bars, cans, etc.)
- Bottled water
- Pet supplies
- Basic toiletries
- Medication (i.e. prescriptions, painkillers, etc.)
- Basic first aid kit
Note: for those who have medical conditions that are exacerbated by the effects of summer storms (i.e. thunderstorm-induced asthma), make sure to have extra medicine and inhalers on you, as breathing can be affected due to increased humidity in the air. Similarly, any households with family members that rely on medical equipment like CPAP machines are also encouraged to invest in a backup generator to ensure medical machines maintain access to power during grid outages.
Know where to go for emergency news updates
Finally, all Shepparton residents are advised to familiarise themselves with official emergency broadcaster details across Victoria. For instance, Shepparton residents can tune in to ABC Local 107.9 FM, 594 AM and 774 AM to receive real-time updates on emergency incidents, including bushfires, floods, damaging winds, thunderstorms, and other seasonal activity.
Local residents are also advised to alert their emergency service providers to any potentially dangerous incidents like fallen trees blocking roadways, or bushfires triggered by lightning strikes. Your commitment to delivering early warnings can help keep your fellow neighbours and community members safe throughout the season.
Reduce your risks of accruing storm damage this summer
While summer storms can trigger wild weather events, Shepparton locals can rest assured knowing that with the right preparation, your home and household can weather the coming storm season.
