NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA – As a powerful Coastal Low continues to impact large areas of New South Wales, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) is urging residents to take immediate action to prepare for potential extreme weather impacts.
With wind gusts reaching up to 124 km/h and over 35,000 homes and businesses left without power, authorities are warning of continued hazards, including large surf, fallen trees, and flash flooding.
The main risk for the next 24 hours remains the strong winds, which are expected to ease by late Thursday.
IAG Senior Analyst, Weather Risk, Kathryn Turner emphasized that residents along the New South Wales coast, from Newcastle to Sydney and down through the Illawarra and South Coast, should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to minimize potential damage.
NRMA Insurance Executive General Manager Claims, Luke Gallagher, advised residents to secure loose items around their properties, check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors, and delay or reconsider travel.
He also urged residents to take simple steps to protect their homes, such as clearing gutters, downpipes, and drains, and covering known leaks with plastic tarps or waterproof sheets.
IAG has activated its 24/7 Major Event Command Centre, with its Major Events Response and Natural Perils teams closely monitoring the evolving system and providing real-time insights from its teams on the ground.