Top 10 NSW storm damage hotspots revealed

Berowra Heights, in Sydney’s north, was the worst-affected suburb across the State last year for storm-related claims, according to new data from leading insurer GIO.

Four of the top 10 worst hit suburbs in New South Wales last year are located north of Sydney’s central business district. 

These include; Berowra Heights and Berowra in Sydney’s north, and Umina Beach and Wamberal on the central coast – all were severely impacted in the catastrophic hail storm in December.

Berowra Heights is a new entry to the top 10, while Castle Hill makes a return to the top 10 moving up from fourth place in 2017 to claim the number two spot.

Grafton was the state’s storm damage hotspot for storm-related claims in the previous year but has now dropped out of the top 10.
Broken Hill, Dubbo and Young have also dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in two years, having previously appeared in 2017 and 2018.

Analysis of more than 14,000 storm-related insurance claims across NSW from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 revealed the state’s top 10 hotspots to be:

2019 Rank	Suburbs
1.	Berowra Heights
2.	Castle Hill
3.	Wamberal
4.	Paddington
5.	Umina Beach
6.	Berowra
7.	Chipping North
8.	Quakers Hill
9.	Glenwood
10.	Casula

GIO spokesperson James Spence said: “Although our claims data showed some areas consistently copped a battering when it came to storms, the very nature of these types of weather events are unpredictable and can happen anywhere.

“Our message to all residents is to take the time now to prepare their homes ahead of storm season. Thunderstorms, hailstorms and accompanying high winds and lightning don’t need to be severe or last long to cause serious damage.

“Ensure you keep up general maintenance around the home, check the condition of your roof and replace any damaged or missing tiles. Remember that if you need to make a claim for storm damage, insurance won’t cover you for any pre-existing damage.”