Meteorologists issue warning ahead of tropical cyclone season
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has warned Queenslanders the coming tropical cyclone season will be on “the upper side of normal”.
That won’t be welcomed by flood-affected Mackay residents recently returned to newly restored homes, but the bureau says widespread flooding rains are less likely in the absence of well-established La Nina conditions.
The bureau has observed current climate conditions three times since 1980. On each occasion a Category 2 or Category 3 cyclone has made landfall on the east coast.
In regard to the outlook for the Coral Sea and Queensland, Bureau Regional Director Jim Davidson says a coastal crossing by a destructive cyclone “during the coming season should be seriously considered in preparations”.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has urged policyholders to review the terms of their policies to ensure they are adequately covered.
In Mackay, more than 73% of the nearly 5000 damaged homes and buildings damaged when floodwater swept through the city in February have been repaired.
ICA CEO Kerrie Kelly said in a statement that insurers and tradesmen have made “good progress” after a long wait to dry out properties. “Excessive humidity” caused further delays.
Ms Kelly says insurers have given priority to the worst affected properties, with 87% of homes that were left completely uninhabitable now fully restored.
That won’t be welcomed by flood-affected Mackay residents recently returned to newly restored homes, but the bureau says widespread flooding rains are less likely in the absence of well-established La Nina conditions.
The bureau has observed current climate conditions three times since 1980. On each occasion a Category 2 or Category 3 cyclone has made landfall on the east coast.
In regard to the outlook for the Coral Sea and Queensland, Bureau Regional Director Jim Davidson says a coastal crossing by a destructive cyclone “during the coming season should be seriously considered in preparations”.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has urged policyholders to review the terms of their policies to ensure they are adequately covered.
In Mackay, more than 73% of the nearly 5000 damaged homes and buildings damaged when floodwater swept through the city in February have been repaired.
ICA CEO Kerrie Kelly said in a statement that insurers and tradesmen have made “good progress” after a long wait to dry out properties. “Excessive humidity” caused further delays.
Ms Kelly says insurers have given priority to the worst affected properties, with 87% of homes that were left completely uninhabitable now fully restored.