Australia faces a severe disaster season ahead with forecasts of above-average cyclone activity and a heightened risk of bushfires across much of the country's south, the Insurance Council of Australia says.
ICA chief executive Rob Whelan is urging property owners and businesses to prepare their homes and other assets as the weather bureau forecasts an above-average cyclone season and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre predicts heightened risk especially in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
"Last disaster season brought insured losses of more than $630 million - and that was considered fairly benign. Australians must not underestimate the damage a severe season could wreak," Mr Whelan said in a statement on Monday.
