The forecasted return of rainmaker weather pattern – La Nina, suggests now is the time to prepare your property for above average rainfall.

Predicting the weather may be an inexact science but it always pays to heed warnings from the experts at the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

As we head into 2025, the BOM says the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is pointing to a La Niña event[1].

The long-range forecast for February to April shows above average rainfall is likely for much of northern and western Australia and coastal parts of New South Wales and eastern Victoria.

Unusually high rainfall could be on the cards for parts of western and northern Australia says the BOM.

It may be great news for farmers.

But serious flooding events in recent years have made plenty of homeowners wary of the words ‘high rainfall’.

On the plus side, the BOM’s early warning can give homeowners time to plan ahead.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Understand if you are buying in a flood-prone area

US property listing platform Zillow has recently introduced new climate risk data that buyers can use when shopping for a home[2].

Here in Australia, it’s often the case that buyers need to do their own homework.

Fortunately, there are lots of helpful resources available.

The website of the State Emergency Service (SES) in NSW for example, lets users check the flood risk for their postcode[3].

2. Prepare your property

If heavy rain or flooding could impact your home, there are steps you can take to minimise any damage long before a major weather event occurs.

Steps to consider include:

• Raising power points and other appliances above near-ground level
• Use non-porous floor materials such as slate
• Invest in waterproofing by applying sealants to walls and floors 
• Use landscaping to deflect water, improve drainage and protect against landslides
• Instal measures to prevent sewer backup
• Check that windows and doors seal properly
• Consider raising your house to protect it from floods.

It’s also important to regularly clear out gutters and downpipes. This helps to channel heavy rain away from your home. Blockages from leaves can trap water, forcing any overflow under the eaves and into your roof cavity.

3. Have appropriate insurance in place

Having home building insurance isn’t just about protection for your most valuable asset.

Home building insurance is normally required as a condition of a home loan.

Some insurance companies offer cover for floods as an optional extra. Others include it as a standard feature[4][5].

What matters is that you know what you are covered for and have adequate and appropriate cover for your home.

Don’t leave it too late.

If you take out cover while a storm is brewing, you could find your insurer won’t accept claims based on floods that occurred in an ‘exclusion’ period.

4. Be emergency ready

Flood waters can rise surprisingly quickly.

That’s why it’s so essential to have a personal emergency plan to know what you will do if the unexpected happens.

Your plan should spell out what you and your family will do if extreme weather strikes, where you will go if you need to evacuate, and what you will do with your pets and other animals if you need to leave your home in an emergency.

It also makes a lot of sense to have an emergency kit handy. This may include medicines, drinking water plus copies of critical documents like your insurance policies.

Better safe than sorry

Hopefully the forecast La Nina weather pattern will bring a wet spell that nourishes gardens and rural areas, rather than heralding a major emergency.

But none of us can afford to be complacent.

Your home is more than a roof over your head. It is an exceptional investment in your personal wealth.

The time to protect it is now.

Your Raine & Horne property expert can offer a wealth of information on the local neighbourhood including details of previous weather events.  

[1]http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/outlooks/#:~:text=In%20recent%20observations%2C%20ocean%20and,the%20summer%20of%202024%E2%80%932025.

[2] https://www.zillow.com/learn/what-is-climate-risk-data/

[3] https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare

[4] https://www.allianz.com.au/about-us/media-hub/allianz-to-introduce-flood-cover-as-standard-in-home-insurance-policies.html

[5] https://www.commbank.com.au/support.insurance.is-my-home-covered-for-flood-damage.html