No matter where you live in Australia, storms and severe weather can threaten your life and cause severe damage to your property.
Thunderstorms can bring destructive winds, lightning, hail, heavy rain and flash flooding with little warning.
It's vital to understand the storm warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and follow the advice of your local council, police or emergency services during a storm.
During a storm
The Bureau of Meteorology only issues warnings for storms that may pose a threat to lives and property.
If a warning is issued:
- Stay listening to your local ABC Radio station, check your local ABC Facebook page for updates, warnings and advice.
- Search for BOM storm warnings in your location on the ABC Emergency incident map.
- Check your local BOM radar to see where the storm is now.
- Stay indoors and keep away from windows while storm conditions are severe.
- Unplug your modem. When lightning strikes the node, it causes an electrical surge inside the house that can destroy your router or modem.
- Keep your emergency kit handy in case you lose power.
- Drive very slowly and turn on your headlights if you're out on the road. Look out for hazards like downed power lines, fallen trees or branches.
- Never drive into water over roads.