If you’ve ever sat listening to distant thunder and thought, “It’ll pass me by”, you’re not alone. The truth is: severe weather doesn’t always announce itself. And for Australians over 60 – many of whom are retired, living on fixed incomes or managing chronic health issues – that complacency can carry serious risk.
Research from insurance provider Youi reveals some hard truths: 81 per cent of Australians say they’ve experienced some form of severe weather, yet fewer than 1 in 10 feel extremely prepared. Only 17 per cent have a detailed and practiced emergency plan. Even more startling – 41 per cent don’t know how to start preparing and 35 per cent believe severe weather simply won’t affect them.
That’s precisely why Youi has launched its new Severe Weather Hub – a comprehensive online resource designed to help Australians get ahead of storms, floods and extreme heat. Because, as the Federal Government’s National Climate Risk Assessment warns, extreme weather events are likely to hit regions that have never experienced them before.
Ageing doesn’t mean you’re safe
One of the most alarming data points? Preparedness levels plummet with age. While 15 per cent of Gen Z say they feel extremely prepared, only 4 per cent of Baby Boomers claim the same. For older Australians whose homes were built under older codes or who live bush-edge or coastal lives, the danger isn’t hypothetical. It’s real.
Youi’s Executive General Manager of Claims, Chris Jarrett, spells it out: “Australians aren’t short on awareness, they’re short on clear, actionable steps. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe … many people are finding themselves under-prepared.”
Warning signs you can’t ignore
Clearing your gutters and pruning trees are useful (55 per cent and 41 per cent of homeowners have done so), but only 17 per cent have practised a plan.
46 per cent of Australians feel their insurance covers them – yet 60 per cent haven’t checked their policy in the past 12 months.
People in Queensland are most confident – 36 per cent say they feel extremely prepared compared with 23-30 [er cent in other states. But confidence doesn’t equal action.
Former CEO of Disaster Relief Australia, Geoff Evans, adds: “Many Australians think they’re ready but haven’t taken the steps that truly make a difference when disaster strikes. Planning is important, but practising that plan is what saves lives.”
What the Hub Offers (And Why You Should Use It)
Youi’s Severe Weather Hub isn’t just another insurance-site add-on. It delivers practical tools tailored to real-life emergencies:
Downloadable templates for emergency plans (including for seniors with mobility or health-needs)
Advice on interpreting weather warnings and alerts – not all “severe weather” alerts are equal.
Tips for home resilience: DIY maintenance, storm-proofing, and understanding your property’s weak points. One such tip? Don’t wait for the dreaded “Take Shelter” warning. Often, the best time to act is before the sirens start. As Geoff Evans puts it: “It’s the early hours of the morning; it’s pouring rain; people are tired and stressed and not thinking clearly. But if you’re well-prepared … you’ll be able to respond to events, not just react to them.”
Seniors: Start today, because tomorrow might be too late
If you’re over 60, retired or semi-retired, now is the moment. Start by checking:
Do you have an emergency kit? (Water, meds, torch, battery radio)
Has your insurance policy been reviewed recently?
Do you know your local evacuation route?
Have you talked to a neighbour or family member about what you’d do?
Neighbourly plans matter too – research shows community connection is one of the most valuable tools in a severe weather event.
Final Word
Storm season is no longer a future possibility – it’s now. And it doesn’t always come with warning. The line between “we’ll manage” and “we’re stranded” can be very thin.
The Severe Weather Hub gives you the map, the tools and the spark – but the action still falls to you. So don’t wait for the warning. Review your cover, review your plan, and review your home. It’s the smartest way to be ready.
Because when the skies darken and windows shake, what you did today might be your lifeline tomorrow.