Just when you thought the worst of La Nina’s record-breaking rains were behind us, the Bureau of Meteorology has recently declared that Australia is set to face yet another weather phenomenon – a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
The impending negative IOD is predicted to bring serious wet weather conditions to vast areas across the country over the coming months.
The news came as the bureau issued a severe weather warning with minor to major flooding predicted over much of NSW, coinciding with a winter that has experienced 15 per cent more rainfall on average across the entire country, as well as major flooding events that have badly affected much of the east coast.
What is a negative Indian Ocean Dipole?
The Indian Ocean Dipole measures the difference in sea surface temperatures between the eastern and western sides of the tropical ocean, transitioning between three phases – negative, neutral and positive every three to five years, starting in May or June and peaking between August and October.
A negative IOD often results in cooler than average maximum temperatures over south-eastern mainland Australia, while maximum and minimum temperatures in far north Australia are typically warmer than average.
This is only the second time a negative IOD has occurred back-to-back in Australia since reliable records began in the 1960s. As a result, forecasts are predicting over half the country on the east coast has roughly an 85 per cent chance of exceeding last year’s rainfall through Spring.
What impact does a negative Indian Ocean Dipole have on Australians?
Along the east coast, more rain and potential flooding are likely to occur, following on from an already exceptionally wet start to 2022. It is also predicted to lead to wetter weather across the top end of the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, bringing a higher likelihood of increased tropical cyclones off the coast.
Alongside the negative IOD phenomenon, the bureau is also predicting a 50 per cent likelihood of La Nina re-forming for a third consecutive summer which means even more downpours are still to come later in the year.
Is your home or business prepared for heavy rainfall?
It’s always wise to take the necessary steps to minimise any potential damage that may come as a result of increased rainfall and flash flooding. As seen in Northern New South Wales and Exmouth in Western Australia, homes and businesses can become flooded very quickly.
Ensuring your home is flood-ready can mean a world of difference. Your first steps should be to check your roof is free from any cracks, ensure your gutters and drainpipes are free of any debris allowing water to easily flow from your property, and to make sure your possessions are lifted to higher ground.
On the paperwork side of things, it’s worth reviewing your home or business insurance to see if it provides sufficient cover for the cost of your property and your belongings – familiarise yourself with what you are (and are not) covered for and update if necessary.
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If the unexpected occurs, Morse Building Consultancy has plenty of expertise responding in a crisis. Our experience includes the major storms and floods of the last three years, 2021 Melbourne earthquake, 2019/2020 bushfires, 2017 Cyclone Debbie, 2015 Cyclone Marcia and 2011 South-East Queensland Floods and Cyclone Yasi.
Our team of highly skilled, professional, qualified and licensed building consultants and registered engineering consultants can rapidly mobilise and start inspections as soon as the location is deemed safe, providing a prompt and unbiased commitment to service in the event of a disaster.
From a single structure or claim to multiple structures and claims during a catastrophe, Morse Building Consultancy has the capacity and experience to deliver independent, in-depth, timely and accurate damage reporting across Australia.