First published 13 Nov 2026, 5:00am
Australia is headed to an El Nino summer that can bring heatwaves that may overwhelm Australians, even in their own suburban homes, without a plan.
Australians are unprepared for an El Nino summer that is just weeks away from potentially putting their homes and lives in danger.
The weather event typically creates a hotter, drier summer that can create greater risks of black outs on super hot days, bushfires and typically leads to drought conditions. But there can also be violent storms as a result, particularly in eastern parts of the country.
Australians are encouraged to have a plan in place to protect themselves from the conditions, but research by insurer Youi has found the majority of us, while worried, have taken no such action.
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The insurer surveyed 2142 Australians in October and found 74 per cent were worried about the impacts of El Nino this summer, with 59 per cent more worried about extreme weather impacts than in past years.
Despite this, 70 per cent said they did not have an emergency plan for this summer, and only 18 per cent had made arrangements specifically for the El Nino event.
Barely one in 10 has a planned evacuation route from their home if dangerous conditions such as fire occurs.
Worryingly, 42 per cent said they were worried about the cost of running their airconditioner during extreme heat and 37 per cent have limited or would consider limiting its use as a result.
Heat and climate researcher Dr Georgia Chaseling said after 12 years studying how humans respond to extreme conditions, be it heat or cold, there was a chance that this summers expected elevated heat conditions could become a matter of life or death for some.
Australians’ biggest worries about El Nino. Source: Youi.
“With El Nino we are gearing up for a very hot one,” Dr Chaseling said.
“And with heatwaves across the globe we are seeing people dying or becoming extremely ill.”
Health data from Queensland has shown that even temperatures as low as 28 degrees have triggered heat related health issues, and while that can depend on the patient’s existing health concerns as well as the humidity of the day, it suggests waiting for more extreme conditions could leave people vulnerable.
“There are certainly people who are more at risk of becoming ill during a heatwave, and you might not know if that is you,” Dr Chaseling said.
While those aged 60-plus were generally automatically on the list, those who had underlying health conditions particularly those like heart and circulatory issues, diabetes and chronic illness like kidney disease that can lead to dehydration faster in hot conditions.
What Australians expect from an El Nino summer. Source: Youi.
The Youi survey data indicates more Australians are worried about heatwaves than bushfires this summer, and about 40 per cent were worried about sleep disruption.
With the prospect of additional bushfire risk, increased smoke conditions could also cause problems for those suffering from asthma, even if their home was relatively safe.
Dr Chaseling said there were basic steps anyone could take that would help them to be ready.
These include planning ways to keep cool, including if the power failed in your neighbourhood. This included having a bushfire response plan, even in areas that might not have significant amounts of bush nearby but that could come under ember attack.
Clearing gutters and rooves of leaf litter before the hot weather would be important in this regard.
“You also need to have a cooling option if there is a blackout” she said.
Heat and Health Research Centre specialist Doctor Georgia Chaseling reveals the risks for Australians from an El Nino summer.
This includes access to water, somewhere else to go like a local shopping centre, and potentially rechargeable and battery operated fans.
It could also be particularly important to have a plan in place this summer, as rising fuel costs might make simply going out and turning on the car airconditioner untenable for many Australians.
A way to keep the heat out of your home was also important, and could range from exterior blinds to shutting curtains — particularly for west-facing windows.
Those with the money to spend could also consider increasing their home’s insulation.
Those living alone should also have a contact point they can call if they are feeling unwell, or who will call and check in on them.
She added that the shoulder season could be higher risk as most people’s bodies won’t be as acclimatised to the hot weather yet.
Much of eastern Australia is expected to have a particularly hot, and dry summer as a result of El Nino conditions.
Youi insurance, who commissioned the research, released claims data that showed across two previous El Nino periods on a daily average basis fire-related claims were 12 per cent more common and storm-related claims were 13 per cent more common compared with other periods.
Executive general manager of claims for the firm Chris Jarrett said they had developed an online hub to help their customers prepare for the conditions this summer.
Mr Jarrett said that with 19 per cent not believing they were personally at risk, a portion of the limited preparation could be a sign of complacency.
“These findings suggest many Australians understand that severe weather is a possibility, but need clearer, simpler guidance on how it could affect them and what practical steps they can take to prepare their homes and households,” he said.
He added that for those worried about impacts to their home, reviewing their insurance cover and making a fresh visual record of their home and its contents could be a wise move to ensure they have up to date information about what means the most to them — and the right insurance to protect it.
Executive manager claims for Youi Chris Jarrett says Australians clearly want to prepare but either don’t know how, or believe it will be more complicated or expensive than it is.
Sustainable Homes Melbourne Simon Clark said an El Nino summer could also present issues for homes from below, with the prospect that drought would dry out the soil and cause movement from the footings, stumps or slab.
Mr Clark said areas with clay soils could be particularly susceptible to changes from long dry periods that would see solid contract.
He said for anyone worried about the soil beneath their home, a qualified stump specialist could be a wise investment — however, he warned you needed to ensure any work they did had no impact on the soil’s hydration as this could lead to expansions that could also cause movement.
“Ultimately when drought occurs you get that shrinkage, and that definitely disrupts them (stumps),” Mr Clark said.
“Over long periods you might see cracks, with fluctuations – it should generally be cosmetic.
“But trees will also suck up water, so if they are near the home make sure they are hydrated. They might be sucking water away from your footings.”
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