Super-sized summer

Get set for fire and storm season.

Weather experts are warning a super El Niño may be on the way, bringing intense summer temperatures.

It might seem a case of same but different for homeowners pounded by three years of La Nina’s flood chaos, as concern now shifts to heatwaves and bushfires.

Neither of the Spanish siblings are particularly pleasant visitors. While La Niña brings above-average rainfall and lower temperatures, El Niño brings drier weather and higher-than-average temperatures.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology declared an El Niño pattern in September and shortly after, forecasters in the US* said modelling indicated it may develop into a scorching super El Niño.

But that doesn’t mean there will be any reprieve from the looming summer storm season. Meteorologists have warned that while El Niño weather patterns produce lower overall rainfall and fewer cyclones, they have minimal impact on severe storms.

So homeowners have been told to brace for everything this summer –heatwaves, bushfires and storms.

It’s a lot. Try to keep from feeling overwhelmed by focussing on some key points.

Check insurance

Always make sure you understand exactly what your policy covers in the event of storms, flooding and fire. Definitions can be narrower than you think.

If you’re in a bushfire-prone area check what your insurer regards as fire damage. Some may only include losses caused directly by flames, while others will cover property ruined by heat, ash, soot and smoke from bushfires up to 100m away.

Stringent new building codes in fire zones have also pushed up the cost of rebuilding in recent years, so consult a professional about whether your level of cover is enough to prevent you being caught short.

It’s also important to understand you won’t be fully covered if your insurer considers inadequate home maintenance has contributed to losses. For example, if a cracked tile or blocked downpipe allowed water to leak into your roof, or your roof was covered in flammable leaves and debris when fire spread.

Take updated photographs of your property in case you ever need to establish its condition prior to any damage.

Understand your risk level

If you’re in or near a bushfire zone, sign up to local alerts and follow your State’s fire service on social media.

Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street. Clear or trim vegetation around your home and keep roofs and gutters free of leaves and twigs. Run regular checks on any generators or pumps on the property that you may need in an emergency and have an evacuation plan and trigger.

Stay ahead of the cool crew

Get in before the rush if you want to install ceiling fans or air-conditioners. But with electricity bills heading north, make it a priority to look for passive ways to keep your cool.

Homeowners can:

• Add adhesive window films. These substantially reduce heat gain and are a cost-effective upgrade. Low-E (low emissivity) film will also reduce heat loss in winter.

• Install cellular window shades. These use an internal honeycomb system of air pockets to cut heat gain by as much as 60 per cent in summer and heat loss by 40 per cent in winter.

• Check insulation in walls and ceilings. This is obviously an expensive proposition but even insulating one external wall that’s exposed to a lot of sun can make a big difference to internal temperatures. This is particularly effective in older timber homes which often don’t have any wall insulation.

Check your electrics

If your home wiring isn’t up to current safety standards, you may not be covered if a fault causes a fire. With extreme temperatures and expected high loads on home circuits, it’s worth getting an electrician to give your home the once over.

Go with the flow

As El Niño will not have a major impact on the number of tropical summer storms rolling through, homeowners should keep up regular checks on drainage systems, from gutters and downpipes to stormwater drains. Downpipes and stormwater, in particular, will need more than just a visual check for blockages.

*Snider, L., NCAR experimental prediction system calls for a Super El Niño this winter, 26 September, 2023, NCAR & UCAR News, www.news.ucar.edu.