While the Northern Rivers can see storms at any time of the year, we are entering into the month of increasing storm activity. Already there have been a few severe thunderstorms, and a couple of hail storms.

While usually commencing in October, SES are launching storm season earlier this year to get our communities prepared to take safe actions as the storms occur.

Chief Superintendent NSW SES Northern Eastern Zone Greg Swindells addressed the media, urging people to take heed of any storm warnings given by SES and to take precautionary actions.

“We work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology. The Bureau forecasts the weather, and they have all the scientific tools to do so. They provide us information. We have experts embedded within our agency, meteorologists and hydrologists that interpret that information. And we use that information to assist us in the messaging to our local communities.”

“What we're asking is for members of the community to prepare themselves as best they can for the storms. During the finer weather that we have, and particularly on weekends when time is available, we encourage people to take precautionary measures."

"Clean out the gutters and drains to assist with any sudden downfall we have with the thunderstorms to prohibit any water entering into the roof cavities of their homes and causing damage. We also asked to observe their homes and trees that are around the home if they could trim some branches that are covering the roof area of their house that will certainly assist.”

“People should secure any loose items that may be on balconies or in rear yards, such as garden furniture or trampolines. And also, most importantly - if we do have a thunderstorm, not to forget pets and to move them inside as well."

"Thunderstorms are nothing new for us in the area, and certainly something we're well prepared for as the SES with our wonderful volunteers who provide great service to the communities in which they live. Yes, we will be there to assist. But if you could take those precautions prior it would certainly help us as well.”

The AWS (Australian Warning System) was introduced in September last year and relates to how the SES issues messaging. Thunderstorm warnings, however, will not be subject to Australian warning systems. 

“They (AWS) relate more to flooding, if we have any flooding. And we're not expecting widespread flooding this season. As we've seen, it's a hotter drier weather that we are experiencing, but it will bring severe thunderstorms, and we're certainly accustomed to those."

"What that means is we could see some flash flooding. So flash flooding is obviously a sudden onset of rain. We can end up with some water across roads and things like that. So the same message, never drive right or walk through floodwaters.”

There has been some significant changes in the SES since the 2022 flooding. There have been two new zones created, including the Northeastern zone, which covers Northern Rivers, spanning from Urunga to the QLD border. Changes that have occurred within our zone include 25 dedicated full-time paid staff that live in the local area, a direct response to the New South Wales government's recommendations that the SES be more locally led.

There have also been additional resources secured, such as vessels, vehicles and other equipment to assist volunteers. 

The SES responded to more than 14,000 storm-related incidents between October last year and March this year. Seven hundred fifty of those were in the Northeastern zone. New South Wales has approximately 10,000 SES volunteers. The Northeastern zone has approximately 980 volunteers.

“We could always do with more volunteers and certainly anybody that's interested in helping their community, we'd ask them to get in touch with their local volunteer unit. And we can walk them through that process but I want to reiterate that the SES are volunteers. The people that you see out responding are your neighbours, your friends and your relatives. They are volunteers that live in your local community who give up their time to support the communities in which they live.”

“It’s not only storms and floods that we react to but very, very large scale support in the area of general rescue where our volunteers are out every day in the communities doing road crash rescues, vertical rescues and community first responders in remote areas as well. So we're here to support as best we can.”

The Lismore App enquired as to whether land has been identified to build the new state-of-the-art Incident Control Centre for the Northern Eastern Zone SES. This was announced by the Perrottet government in June 2022.

“We are looking for a new home. We have a full house here of staff and equipment, and we have certainly made some improvements. But to answer your question, in regards to new ownership, we haven't confirmed a location. We're narrowing it down. I can confirm that it will be in the Goonellabah/Lismore area. So nothing to announce as yet. But I think we're getting close.”

The SES advises people to monitor the radio and monitor the weather. You can visit the SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au for further tips and advice on what you can do to prepare yourself.