Welcome
Hello everyone and
welcome to the October edition of “Keep Things Flowing”, the
monthly newsletter presented by Storm Water Consulting.
This month’s
newsletter theme is all about the upcoming storm season in South
East Queensland and different ways to ensure your protection from
damage that storms could cause you. So let’s get into it!
Insurance Coverage
Summer is just around the corner and for South
East Queensland that means the afternoon storm season is fast
approaching. Unfortunately, damage to properties, dwellings or
possessions may occur as a result of storm events. When damage
occurs from a storm event we often rely on insurance to cover the
cost of fixing or replacing any damaged items. Did you know that
the damage caused by a storm event can be classified as storm
damage or flood damage? Do you know what the difference is between
the two? As hydraulic engineers, we have had Insurance companies
engage our services to determine whether the damage to a property
occurred due to flood or stormwater. In some insurance policies,
“flood” is an exclusion of coverage. The definition of stormwater
or flood can differ between each insurance company policy. Two
examples have been presented below to provide a clearer
understanding of the issue.
For the examples below the following
definitions of Stormwater and Flood Water will be adopted.
Stormwater: Water travelling overland that
has not entered a manmade or natural watercourse.
Flood: Water that has broken out of the
normal confines of a manmade or natural watercourse.
Example 1:
John lives near a creek. A severe storm occurs
in John’s local area. The rainfall finishes and an hour later the
creek level rises and breaks its banks, inundating John’s house.
Based on the definitions provided above, it is likely that John’s
house was inundated by flood water.
Example 2:
John lives near a creek. A severe storm occurs
in John’s local area. Runoff from the large hill behind John’s
house flows down the hill and into John’s house. Based on the
definitions provided above, it is likely that John’s house was
inundated by stormwater.
Both of the examples presented above would
require further investigation to rule out any possibility of the
opposing definition applying to the scenario. We have investigated
properties where both flood water and stormwater inundation have
caused damage. These cases can be very complicated and required
significant investigations to draw a conclusion. Even if both
sources of inundation are experienced, the source that causes the
damage is used to determine whether compensation is paid.
It is strongly recommended that you know what
type of damage you are covered against. If you would like
assistance with identifying the cause of inundation for an
insurance claim please contact our office.
Storm Preparation
Following on from the previous
topic of storms, we have compiled a list of things to do to help
reduce the likelihood of damage to your property or possessions
from a storm event. Residents should also keep an emergency kit on
hand for when a storm causes a blackout of isolation. This
information has been sourced from the State Emergency Service.
Storm Preparation
1.
Maintain yard and balcony – secure or put away items that could
blow around in strong winds
2. Clean
gutters – clean your gutters, downpipes and drains regularly to
prevent blockages
3.
Trim branches – trim trees and branches that could potentially fall
on your home or property
4. Fix
roof damage – fix any damage to your roof including broken or
missing tiles
5. Familiarise
yourself – familiarise yourself with procedures for turning off
your gas and electricity
6. Check
insurance – check your insurance policy is current and adequate
7.
Prepare an emergency plan – make a plan for your family that
outlines what you would do in an emergency
8.
Prepare an emergency kit – prepare an emergency kit in case you
lose power or need to leave your home (see below)
9. Look
after neighbours – look after neighbours (particularly the
elderly), children, pets and anyone who may be unfamiliar with the
severe weather of SEQ
10. Listen to local radio –
listen to your local radio station and other media for weather
warnings
Emergency Kit Checklist
Your emergency kit provides items you might need
if you lose power or need to leave your home in a hurry. Your
emergency kit contents should include:
-
Portable radio with spare batteries
-
Torch with spare batteries
-
Portable phone charger
-
First aid kit
-
Candles and waterproof matches
-
Important documents including copies of identification, insurance
documents and emergency contact numbers
-
Copies of your emergency plan
-
Waterproof bag for valuables
When leaving or evacuating your property, place
into your emergency kit:
-
Medications
-
Supplies for any babies
-
Supplies for pets
-
Supplies for any other people in your care
-
Appropriate clothing and footwear
-
Non-perishable food and bottled drinking water
Wrap Up
We
hope you've enjoyed the information presented in this month's
newsletter. Don’t forget all of our newsletters are published on
our website at http://stormw.com.au/newsletters.html
As
always, Keep Things Flowing!
The
Storm Team
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