A Sunshine Coast suburb is among Queensland’s most weather-beaten locations.
Hilly Buderim was featured on a ‘storm hotspots’ list from Suncorp Insurance, for July 2021 to June 2022.
The company analysed more than 32,000 weather related home insurance claims in the state to reveal the hardest hit suburbs.
North Brisbane areas took the top three spots, after floods in February, while Buderim came in at No.4.
A Suncorp Insurance spokesperson said there was no clear indication why Buderim was so high on the list.
“As we unfortunately know all too well, Mother Nature can strike anywhere and at any time,” she said.
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Possible reasons could include Buderim’s topography and history.
The exposed suburb is perched on the slopes of a large 180m hill, so excessive rainfall could pool or overflow at gullies, ditches and gutters.
Many of the 13,000-plus properties are also older.
The suburb was one of the first established on the Sunshine Coast, in the mid to late 19th century.
The greater region was also inundated by rain during the timeframe analysed. Buderim’s nearest significant weather station, at Sunshine Coast Airport, recorded a staggering 2340mm.
Suncorp Insurance Home Claims expert Alli Smith said the 32,000-plus claims were a stark reminder of the difficult year the state had endured, weather-wise.
She said it was a reminder that warmer weather can bring sudden storms, cyclones and heavy rains that can lead to floods.
“We’ve released this list of storm-battered suburbs to remind Queenslanders that the impact of storms and significant weather events on property can be severe and highlight the importance of ensuring you have done everything you can to strengthen your home’s resilience against the effects of Mother Nature.”
New research by Suncorp Insurance found almost a quarter of Queenslanders did nothing to prepare for wild weather.
Read a related story: Storm knowledge ‘myths’ debunked in lead-up to summer
“Queenslanders know the messages around preparing for storm season,” Ms Smith said.
“But unfortunately, knowing the messages and actually doing something to better prepare and protect your home are two separate things, and many Queenslanders are failing to actually complete the often quick-and-easy tasks.
“We’re a state battered by extreme weather and it is unfortunately becoming more frequent and severe.
“We want Queenslanders to not only be ready for storm season, but to be resilient.
“With summer on our doorstep, a third La Nina in full swing and wet conditions forecast for the coming months, now is the time for all Queenslanders to get ready and take some practical steps to protect what matters most.”
How to strengthen the resilience of your home
- Clean/install gutters or downpipes.
- Have the roof inspected for damaged or loose tiles.
- Repair broken sealant around windowsills to make them watertight.
- Inspect retaining walls.
- Fix corrosion, loose fittings, rotting or termite infected timber.
- Install fixed, operable high performance mesh screens on doors and windows.
For more tips see Build Resilience – Suncorp
For more information relating to the Sunshine Coast, see Sunshine Coast Council Disaster Risks.
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