Invisible and destructive: Strong winds top Aussies’ wild weather concerns with spring winds ahead

New research from NRMA Insurance reveals strong winds are one of the top wild weather concerns for Australians. Alarmingly, two in three people have experienced potentially dangerous outdoor items becoming airborne during windy conditions, yet only 48% take precautions to protect their home in advance.

The latest edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker found 30% of Australians have experienced damage to their home or vehicle caused by wind and 72% are concerned about strong wind damaging their property, well above hail (56%) or bushfires (33%).

Many Australians have also experienced potentially dangerous outdoor items blowing over or around their property including trampolines (13%), outdoor furniture (40%), pot plants (37%) and large umbrellas (19%).

NRMA Insurance received more than 9,400 claims during winter caused by wild weather, with 82% related to storms. The total number of wild weather claims for the year to date are already more than 32% above those received for all of 2024.

This spike in claims follows a windy winter across much of Australia. A powerful cold front in late August triggered severe weather and wind warnings across southern regions, while a Coastal Low brought damaging gale-force winds to NSW, the ACT, and Victoria in early July.

NRMA Insurance Executive Manager Property Claims Fulfilment Scott Lindsay said wind is often a major contributor to wild weather property damage and taking steps to protect your property ahead of time is essential.

Wind is a powerful, invisible force that amplifies the impact of storms, cyclones and even bushfires by spreading embers and driving rain in all sorts of directions.

Once wind speeds or gusts reach 40 km/h it is no longer safe to carry out maintenance tasks such as trimming trees and branches or inspecting roofs, so choose a calm day to prepare your outdoor areas for storms or wind.

Most of us will be exposed to damaging winds at some point in our lives - and they often strike with little warning.

Scott Linsday

NRMA Insurance Executive Manager Property Claims Fulfilment

"On windy days it's important to secure all items that have the potential to blow away and become projectile, park your car under shelter and ensure all of your home's external windows and doors remain closed.

Strong winds can also cause powerlines to sway, collide, or be struck by falling trees which is one of the most common causes of power outages. Having an emergency kit ready this storm season with power banks, flashlights, water and non-perishables is essential.

NRMA Insurance's research found that many people have an innate sense of caution when it comes to wind. One in three (33%) feel unnerved by its sound and 1 in 4 (25%) always avoid being outside on windy days.

NRMA Insurance Meteorologist and Senior Weather Risk Analyst Kathryn Turner said:

Australia experiences some of the strongest and most variable winds in the world, driven by tropical cyclones, polar systems, east coast lows, and severe thunderstorms.

Spring marks the transition into the severe storm season for Australia, and for the season coming we may see an increase in East Coast Lows and severe thunderstorms across eastern Australia, with the potential for small to large hailstones developing during storms.

Kathryn Turner

NRMA Insurance Meteorologist and Senior Weather Risk Analyst

"Don't underestimate wind as a hazard. Just like you'd check the rain, cloud cover or UV index on your weather app, checking the wind forecast and taking preparedness actions can protect your car, home and give you peace of mind this spring."

NRMA Insurance recommends the following steps to help protect your property from strong wind this season:

· Close all external doors and windows

· Park your car under shelter and away from trees

· Be aware of wind gusts as well as wind speeds, and avoid towing caravans or boats

· Safely secure outdoor items that may become mobile

· Trim trees and branches around your home and check your roof on calm days only.

To find out more about the impact of extreme weather last season and how to prepare this spring read the full Wild Weather Tracker report here.

About the Wild Weather Tracker: The NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker monitors severe weather claims across New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania and is released after every season to encourage people to take regular steps to protect their homes, properties, vehicles and communities. Online research of 3,500 people nationally was conducted on behalf of NRMA Insurance by Pureprofile in August 2025.

About NRMA Insurance: A Help Company

A Help Company NRMA Insurance is Australia's most trusted insurance brand*, helping more than 3 million

Australians protect what matters. Help has been at the heart of NRMA Insurance since its beginnings in 1925 as a member-only company that provided motor insurance policies to the first drivers in NSW. NRMA Insurance has grown to become a national brand that helps people protect their cars, homes and businesses. It has a proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against extreme weather and keep people safer on the road. NRMA Insurance helps Australians understand their local risks and prepare for extreme weather through its Help Nation initiative. NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, Australia and New Zealand's largest general insurer.

*Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brands 2024

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