Aussie schools get lesson in storm preparedness

Paul Eyers
By Paul Eyers
4 Min Read

Aussie schools are being urged to get on top of any outstanding maintenance ahead of a forecast summer of storms.

With wild weather events increasing in both severity and frequency, education institutions have been advised to be proactive in their preparations for any climate catastrophes that could cause significant structural damage.

Australian schools have been thrashed by the effects of extreme weather over the past decade, with 78 per cent of all school property insurance claims a result of either storms, fires, or floods.

And with climate change expected to lead to a spike in wild weather events, staying up to date with any maintenance requirements will become an imperative part of mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.

QBE Insurance commercial general manager Pat Priest issued a warning for schools to get prepared ahead of the summer holidays, with the school break having a history of destructive weather.

“A series of severe weather systems driven by record-breaking La Niña rain events coupled with dry El Niño weather patterns have impacted our schools by damaging classrooms, destroying sports grounds, and impairing key infrastructure,” he said.

“The true extent of the severe weather isn’t realised in many instances until teachers and students head back to school after the summer break to discover leaking roofs, damaged carpets, equipment failures and maintenance issues that have been left unattended over the holidays.”

Maintenance-musts to storm-prep schools 

  • Clear gutters and drains: Regularly remove debris to prevent blockages that could lead to flooding and roof damage during heavy rains.
  • Inspect and repair roofing: Address any leaks, damaged tiles, or weak spots in roofs to reduce the risk of water damage. 
  • Secure outdoor equipment: Ensure that sports equipment, playground items, and temporary structures are properly fastened or stored to prevent them from being damaged or becoming hazards in high winds.
  • Trim overhanging trees: Prune trees near buildings to reduce the risk of branches causing structural damage, fire spread or power outages.
  • Reinforce windows and doors: To protect interiors from wind and debris, strengthen windows and doors with storm shutters or reinforcements. 


Unprepared schools could face costly cleanup

Leaving schools unprepared for extreme weather events over summer can cause mayhem when term one starts, with nearly a quarter of all school property claims being filed in February alone.

In fact, in 2022 alone, QBE paid out $40 million in claims to schools after a third consecutive La Niña weather event hammered education facilities along the East Coast.

The insurance group has now released the QBE Safeguarding Australian Schools report detailing the challenges and mitigation requirements needed to help safeguard Australia’s independent education sector.

The report reveals a state-by-state comparison of insurance claim data, showing that Queensland has the highest average claim amounts, followed by Tasmania and the Northern Territory, while New South Wales recorded the highest number of claims overall.

“We want to help schools navigate emerging risks, maintaining a safe, compliant and resilient environment for students, staff and the broader community,” Ms Priest said.

“We know extreme weather events are increasing in severity and frequency, so it’s important for schools to get proactive with their maintenance, with many storm-related claims potentially avoided through routine upkeep, such as clearing gutters and drains.”

Share This Article
Paul Eyers has worked as a journalist for a range of media publishers including News Corp and Network Ten. He has also worked outside of Australia, including time spent with ABS-CBN in the Philippines. Stepping away from the media, Paul spent five years sharpening his tools in construction - building his skill set and expertise within the trade industry. His diverse experiences and unique journey have equipped him with an insider view of Australia’s construction game to dig deep into the big stories.