Two South West areas recorded as most impacted by weather according to new natural disaster insurance research

South West residents are some of the hardest hit by the extreme heat caused by climate change, a new Australian study has shown. Data released from NRMA Insurance has revealed Bunbury and Margaret River are two of the worst hit regions for extreme heat and multiple bushfires nationally, following new research showing West Australians are the most concerned about the impacts of climate change in Australia. It comes as the South West battled several bushfires across the summer season, including an emergency level bushfire in Bridgetown, which destroyed more than 60,000ha and five homes. NRMA Insurance said the report suggested home claims for weather damage in the two areas were up 53 per cent nationally compared to the previous year, with Margret River and Bunbury being in the top localities reporting claims. The fiery summer season in the South West comes as a stark contrast to the east coast, where earlier this year New South Wales had one of the wettest summers on record and battled the worst floods in Australian history. NRMA Insurance Executive Manager of Natural Perils, Mark Leplastrier, said the growing changes in conditions has caused grave concerns across the nation. “This past summer has been very difficult for so many communities in WA, which have been hit by record hot temperatures, a dire start to the fire season and outbreaks of storms in the state’s north,” he said. “As the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warns, severe weather events like floods and bushfires will occur more frequently and with a higher intensity.” “It is crucial that we all heed these warnings and consider how we can work together to both better prepare for and respond to severe weather.” The NRMA Insurance research revealed that 49 per cent West Australians do not have an emergency kit or emergency plan in place, while 43 per cent of WA residents say they are not ready to respond if severe weather hits their suburb. WA areas most impacted by wild weather this summer: 1. Forrestfield 2. Canning Vale 3. Margaret River 4. High Wycombe and Perth CBD 5. Bunbury, Geraldton and Mandurah