Cyclone Marcia in Australia declared a catastrophe with structural damage, flash flooding

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a catastrophe for parts of central Queensland as Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia brought damage to the area and is expected to cause more loss.

A catastrophe declaration means that the ICA has established a taskforce of insurers to identify and address issues that arise, activated its disaster hotline to help affected residents with questions (this is not a claims hotline), and activated its disaster team.

More towns and cities further to the south were likely to incur storm and water damage as Marcia tracked southwest, bringing with it heavy rain and the potential for local flooding, ICA chief executive officer Rob Whelan said in a statement Friday. ICA is continuing to monitor the cyclone’s path and impact.

With the storm continuing, its impact “is likely to be felt for many days, and it is much too early to estimate insurance losses or provide claims numbers,” Whelan reports.

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“Insurers will prioritize all claims from Cyclone Marcia. They are focusing on handling inquiries and claims from customers and undertaking the claims assessment process as swiftly as possible,” he says.

Marcia made landfall Thursday over the central Queensland coast as a Category 5 storm on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, notes a statement from risk modelling firm RMS.

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Preliminary damage reports indicate that Marcia caused widespread structural damage in Yeppoon (population, approximately 16,000) and Rockhampton (population, approximately 74,000) after strong winds blew off roofs, uprooted trees and cut power lines, and heavy rainfall caused localized flash flooding.

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In Yeppoon, RMS notes that extensive roof and structural damage has been observed, with reports indicating that some homes have been completely destroyed. In Rockhampton, officials state there have been 268 reports of structural damage in the city.

Rail lines and coastal ports have been temporally suspended, notes the RMS statement, and many roads between central Queensland and the southeast coast are now flooded.

A warning issued Thursday by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology noted that Marcia was forecast to intensify to a Category 5 system as it crossed the Queensland coast. The bureau cited anticipated destructive winds with sustained winds near the centre of 195 km/h, with wind gusts to 295 km/h near the core of the system.

“Abnormally high tides are expected, with levels above the highest tide of the year, with flooding of low-lying areas likely,” the warning noted, adding that widespread daily rainfall totals between 200 mm to 300 mm was forecast, with the heaviest falls expected within coastal catchments.

Marcia was later downgraded to Category 1, moving south-southeast over the southern Capricornia district while continuing to weaken. The bureau forecast that it would weaken below cyclone strength Friday night.

At Category 1, sustained winds near the centre are 85 km/h, with wind gusts to 120 km/h.

Still, abnormally high tides were expected in some areas, dangerous surf is anticipated and heavy rainfall was already occurring in some coastal and adjacent inland areas. A flood watch is current for certain areas.

ICA notes disaster recovery tips, provided by www.understandinsurance.com.au, include the following:

• while conditions are severe, stay indoors and keep clear of windows;

• stay away from downed power lines, poles and wires, and fallen trees

• avoid entering floodwater (can contain raw sewage and contaminants, conduct electricity, mask hidden hazards and be flowing rapidly) on foot or in a vehicle;

• avoid turning on the power in the home if there is flooding or water damage;

• speak to an insurer before attempting or authorizing any building work, including emergency repairs, and request the insurer’s permission in writing; and

• take pictures of damage to property and possessions, and keep samples of materials from damaged goods.

MAP: Forecast of Tropical Cyclone Marcia issued Feb. 20 by the Australia Government Bureau of Meteorology