00:00As summer approaches, it's time to roll out severe weather survival plans.
00:07We've been getting ready for this season, now we want you to get ready.
00:10And while the Weather Bureau is predicting an average fire season ahead, authorities are warning that doesn't put out the risk.
00:17We have had a dry winter, but we've still got good fuel, moisture content up in the higher country.
00:22Our biggest concern this year is going to be from grass fires.
00:25We'll get spring growth, those grasses will start to cure.
00:29Grass fires can develop and move very quickly.
00:32But it's not just fires people should be preparing for.
00:35ACT Emergency Services are expecting to be busy dealing with severe weather.
00:40Unfortunately we are predicting more frequent storms in the average year across the territory.
00:45Canberrans are very familiar with what storms can do, bringing large hail, damaging winds to the community.
00:51To help lighten the load, householders are being urged to take care of existing repairs now.
00:57Clean your gutters, remove combustibles from around your house, have your survival plan.
01:02Emergency authorities are hopeful a new National Severe Weather Information System will improve communication during natural disasters.
01:09The Australia-wide system will help to provide targeted advice to those caught in affected areas via text message.
01:16It builds on existing communication using previous bushfire seasons and will now include floods and extreme heat.
01:22They'll be consistent right across Australia, particularly with flood and bushfire, grass fire.
01:28We'll be able to alert different parts of Canberra with different advice.
01:32So people in one suburb may require or may get different advice from people in other suburbs.
01:38A sign of the times.
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