‘Alarming’: Major mistake Aussies make ahead of extreme summer weather

Recent extreme weather

After several weeks of wild weather across Australia, authorities have warned about a dangerous pattern of behaviour among residents as the country heads into a potentially extreme summer season. Recent conditions have included catastrophic fire warnings, severe tropical cyclones and deadly thunderstorms affecting multiple regions.

The major mistake people make

Officials describe as “alarming” the number of Australians who underestimate the speed and severity of summer hazards such as bushfires, heatwaves and storms, leaving preparation until the last moment or not preparing at all. Many households either ignore official advice, assume previous seasons will repeat, or rely solely on emergency services without having their own safety plans and supplies ready.

“Alarming”: a major mistake Australians make ahead of extreme summer weather is failing to prepare early and adequately for fires, storms and heat.

Recommended preparation steps

Authorities urge people in high‑risk areas to create or update bushfire survival plans, clear flammable material around homes, and ensure gutters, yards and access routes are maintained before peak heat arrives. Australians are also encouraged to assemble emergency kits, check insurance coverage, follow local alerts and discuss evacuation options with family members well in advance of any warning.

Expert warnings and outlook

Emergency and climate experts emphasise that hotter, drier conditions linked to large‑scale climate drivers can rapidly turn minor incidents into life‑threatening events during summer. They stress that individual preparation, community awareness and early action significantly reduce risks to life and property when extreme weather inevitably develops.

Author’s summary

Australians face rising summer dangers, and the truly alarming risk is not the heat or storms themselves but the widespread habit of delaying basic preparation until it is far too late.

news.com.au on MSN — 2025-11-29