Healthy Living Summer / Autumn 2021

Page 27

Why Storm season might be a lot different this year The Bureau of Meteorology

The warming effect on the western

Your list of numbers should include;

has forecast that Queensland

Pacific ocean increases rising air,

communities are expected to

cloud development and rainfall with

• Triple Zero (24/7), dial 000 for

experience above average spring

northern and eastern Australia

and summer rainfall this year

usually experiencing heavy rainfall1.

thanks to a La Nina phase.

In fact, six of the wettest winter-

The Bureau characterises La Nina by:

spring periods have been recorded

• Increased rainfall across much of Australia • Cooler daytime temperatures (south of the tropics) • Warmer overnight temperatures (in the north) • Shift in temperature extremes • Decreased frost risk • Greater tropical cyclone numbers • Earlier monsoon onset

What causes La Niña? Strengthened equatorial trade winds and changed ocean surface currents draw up deeper water1 that cools the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The strength of the trade winds help warm the surface waters in the western Pacific and to the north of Australia1.

Police, Fire and Ambulance in an emergency • SES (24/7), dial 132 500 for help with a damaged roof, rising flood water, trees fallen on buildings

during La Niña years1.

or storm damage

What does this all mean?

• The emergency claims contact

In eastern Australia, the average

details of your home, contents or

rainfall during La Niña rises by nearly

landlords insurance provider.

20%1. These conditions increase the

You can then download and

chances of widespread flooding

familiarise yourself with the

and tropical cyclones due to the

checklists we’ve created below.

close link between La Niña strength and significant rainfall.

You can practice these with your children, partner or housemates to

Just when you thought it couldn’t

make sure you’re all prepared for

get any hotter in Queensland, the

any event – rain, hail or shine.

BOM also predicts longer lasting heatwaves in the SouthEast2.

Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd

What can I do to prepare?

Country Bank Limited.

The best place to start is by checking your home and contents or landlords insurance to ensure it

is a subsidiary of Queensland

To read more visit queenslandcountry.bank/storm.

adequately covers the things you love, with new for old replacement. Having an easily accessible list of emergency numbers should you experience serious damage or danger can help you get assistance sooner.

References: 1. Bureau of Meteorology. 2020. “What is La Niña and how does it impact Australia?” Accessed October 2020. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/updates/ articles/a020.shtml 2. Bureau of Meteorology. 2020. “La Niña in Australia”. Accessed October 2020. http://www.bom. gov.au/climate/enso/images/La-Nina-in-Australia.pdf

Rain, hail or shine! No matter the weather, Queensland Country Bank can help give you peace of mind that your home is protected.

For your chance to

WIN

one of four

$2,500 Queensland holiday vouchers

purchase an eligible CGU policy for home, contents or landlords cover with us by 28 February 2021*

1800 075 078 • queenslandcountry.bank/prepare *Competition runs 2/11/20-28/02/21. Terms and eligibility criteria apply and are available at queenslandcountry.bank/prepare. All financial obligations under the eligible policy must be met at the time of the draw. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 (IAL) trading as CGU. Any advice is general only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Consider the relevant PDS available at queenslandcountry.bank or in branch to see if a product is right for you. Queensland Country Bank Limited ABN 77 087 651 027 AFSL 244 533 acts under an agreement with IAL.

Queensland Country Health Fund • Living Healthy Summer / Autumn 2021

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