The State Emergency Service (SES) is urging residents to be prepared for more incoming wet weather as the ACT and NSW storm season officially begins this month.
With the third consecutive summer of La Nina declared, the Bureau of Metrology forecasts a wet spring and summer, beginning this week with a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall across Eastern Australia and renewed flood risks.
A trough and low pressure system is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to the Canberra region from Wednesday, and a second trough and low is likely to bring another burst of rain on Friday and over the weekend.
The 2022-23 Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council seasonal outlook predicts above average rainfall during spring for the ACT and surrounding areas.
ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Georgeina Whelan said working closely with neighbouring states is important as we face similar challenges through hazardous seasons.
"The official start of the storm season was delayed by one month to align with the New South Wales storm season, in support of a nationally consistent approach to emergency alerts and warnings," Commissioner Whelan said.
"Through this La Nina event, working collaboratively, particularly with the NSW State Emergency Service, is integral in ensuring safe outcomes for our community members as we face common challenges over the coming months."
Queanbeyan SES deputy commander Brent Hunter said doing small maintenance tasks will save you a lot of issues during storm season.
"Trimming back loose trees, overhanging trees, overhanging branches, securing loose lines around your home," Deputy Commander Hunter said.
"Cleaning out your gutters is probably one of the biggest things you can do to stop water from entering your property during heavy downpours. The water actually gets caught in the leaves and the gunk and actually forces its way into the root cavity and it can soak into the insulation which can collapse your ceiling."
He said the main callouts the Queanbeyan SES received last year were flood rescues and a large number of leaking roofs and fallen trees.
But he also said the SES has learnt a lot from the first La Nina event two years ago.
"With La Nina, it's really brought through a varied way of thinking. So we need to be a bit more proactive in what we're doing. The SES has been very good at preparing assets around the state, so that's vehicles and people, making sure that we're going to be on the ground in those hardest hit areas is something that we're doing very well in the last few years."
The SES also has sandbags available to the community in case of flooding, encouraging self resilience if the SES can not make it.
"It does make our job a little bit easier, meaning that we can focus on those that really need our help," Deputy Commander Hunter said.
ACT SES Chief Officer Anthony Draheim said flooding may be a risk as we enter a third La Nina weather event this season.
"The ongoing, unusually high volume of rainfall we have continued to experience, has resulted in very high-water content in our soil, causing saturation and an increased risk of flooding," Chief Officer Draheim said.
"We're ready when Canberra prepares together, I encourage the community to stay vigilant and understand what the risks are in your area, be aware of the changing weather patterns, and prepare your home for all conditions."
The ACTSES said they will be there to help when you need them, but there are preventative measures you can take to ensure your safety and to lessen property damage.
Visit the ESA website to find out the simple steps you can take to support our SES personnel and to Be Emergency Ready.
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