Canberrans are being warned not to be complacent about the risks of severe weather this summer, despite the bureau of meteorology predicting an average fire season. More frequent than normal storm conditions are expected to bring large hail and damaging winds to the capital. As the official severe weather season begins today.
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00:00As summer approaches, it's time to roll out severe weather survival plans.
00:07We've been getting ready for this season, now we want you to get ready.
00:10And while the Weather Bureau is predicting an average fire season ahead, authorities are warning that doesn't put out the risk.
00:17We have had a dry winter, but we've still got good fuel, moisture content up in the higher country.
00:22Our biggest concern this year is going to be from grass fires.
00:25We'll get spring growth, those grasses will start to cure.
00:29Grass fires can develop and move very quickly.
00:32But it's not just fires people should be preparing for.
00:35ACT Emergency Services are expecting to be busy dealing with severe weather.
00:40Unfortunately we are predicting more frequent storms in the average year across the territory.
00:45Canberrans are very familiar with what storms can do, bringing large hail, damaging winds to the community.
00:51To help lighten the load, householders are being urged to take care of existing repairs now.
00:57Clean your gutters, remove combustibles from around your house, have your survival plan.
01:02Emergency authorities are hopeful a new National Severe Weather Information System will improve communication during natural disasters.
01:09The Australia-wide system will help to provide targeted advice to those caught in affected areas via text message.
01:16It builds on existing communication using previous bushfire seasons and will now include floods and extreme heat.
01:22They'll be consistent right across Australia, particularly with flood and bushfire, grass fire.
01:28We'll be able to alert different parts of Canberra with different advice.
01:32So people in one suburb may require or may get different advice from people in other suburbs.
01:38A sign of the times.