Thunderstorms with destructive winds, lightning, hail, heavy rain and flash flooding can threaten lives and cause severe damage to your property, sometimes with little warning.
Loading...It's vital to understand the storm warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and follow the advice of local councils, police or emergency services during a storm.
During severe weather
The Bureau of Meteorology only issues warnings for severe weather that may pose a threat to lives and property. Severe weather can be damaging or destructive winds with heavy to intense rain and large to giant hailstones.
Remember — a warning for just damaging winds might not seem dangerous but damaging winds can down trees and cause prolonged power and phone outages.
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.
- If you're driving during a storm try to find an undercover area to pull into. Don't park under trees.
- Never drive into water over roads.