Thunderstorms range in intensity from those that bring fresh rain after a blazing summer's day, to severe storms so powerful that large trees and sometimes houses cannot stand in their path. Of all the major types of natural disaster which can occur in Australia, severe thunderstorms have probably the lowest profile in the public mind. Yet thunderstorm activity is common in Australia and it is undeniable that storms are both expensive and dangerous. Severe storms are a constant natural disaster occurring on a frequent bases in Australia. On average, these powerful storms cause more destruction than cyclones, earthquakes, floods and bushfires. As storms are unpredictable their devastating impact is often underestimated. Storms not only cause damage to homes, property and businesses, they also pose a threat to people, animals and the environment. Severe storms have the potential to occur anywhere in Australia. The most common region for thunderstorms in Australia is the tropical north, where the supply of warm, moist air is at its greatest. Southeast Queensland and eastern New South Wales also experience a significant number of thunderstorms, while southern Tasmania experiences an average of only five thunderstorms annually. Although they usually occur in warmer, summer months it is critical to stay prepared all year round. Severe storms can range from isolated thunderstorms that affect only a few square kilometres, to intense low pressure systems that may affect thousands of square kilometres.
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Severe storms are often associated with tropical cyclones and be a substantial contributor to flooding. Severe storms have the potential to influence and produce storm tides, lightning and thunder, hail, tornadoes, waterspouts, damaging winds and flash floods. There are three major factors which contribute to the production of a severe storm. Firstly, a source of moist air in the atmosphere. Moist air is essential as it allows the air to condense to form cloud, heat energy is then released making the rising air more buoyant, consequently fueling further cloud growth. Furthermore, another factor is an unstable atmosphere. This is necessary so that developing cloud is able to rise freely to great heights in the atmosphere. Additionally, initiating mechanisms are also significant as they serve as a focus for storm development. Typical mechanisms that initiate thunderstorms are fronts, troughs and regions of low pressure. Non-severe thunderstorms generally occur within environments possessing only low to moderate instability and minimal wind shear. Each of these factors influence the development of elements of a severe storm such as lighting and rain. When natural disasters strike such as Severe storm, they often cause financial hardship for both individuals, communities and companies. In recent years there was one exceptional storm events in Sydney - the March 1990 hailstorm over the western suburbs. In 1993 dollar terms, this storm caused insurance losses of $329M in addition to great inconvenience. The financial and community cost can be lessened with better planning and by preparing your home and family to stay safe and reduce the damage. It is crucial to have a thorough plan in place in order to protect your homes, lives and valuable possessions. Insurers provide society with the means to do this. Following a natural disaster, insurance companies can pay claims to policyholders with the right policies who are affected, allowing communities to rebuild. If you are unprepared, the devastation and financial loss caused by natural disasters
Severe storms are often associated with tropical cyclones and be a substantial contributor to flooding. Severe storms have the potential to influence and produce storm tides, lightning and thunder, hail, tornadoes, waterspouts, damaging winds and flash floods. There are three major factors which contribute to the production of a severe storm. Firstly, a source of moist air in the atmosphere. Moist air is essential as it allows the air to condense to form cloud, heat energy is then released making the rising air more buoyant, consequently fueling further cloud growth. Furthermore, another factor is an unstable atmosphere. This is necessary so that developing cloud is able to rise freely to great heights in the atmosphere. Additionally, initiating mechanisms are also significant as they serve as a focus for storm development. Typical mechanisms that initiate thunderstorms are fronts, troughs and regions of low pressure. Non-severe thunderstorms generally occur within environments possessing only low to moderate instability and minimal wind shear. Each of these factors influence the development of elements of a severe storm such as lighting and rain. When natural disasters strike such as Severe storm, they often cause financial hardship for both individuals, communities and companies. In recent years there was one exceptional storm events in Sydney - the March 1990 hailstorm over the western suburbs. In 1993 dollar terms, this storm caused insurance losses of $329M in addition to great inconvenience. The financial and community cost can be lessened with better planning and by preparing your home and family to stay safe and reduce the damage. It is crucial to have a thorough plan in place in order to protect your homes, lives and valuable possessions. Insurers provide society with the means to do this. Following a natural disaster, insurance companies can pay claims to policyholders with the right policies who are affected, allowing communities to rebuild. If you are unprepared, the devastation and financial loss caused by natural disasters