Sydney: Natural disaster declared

Premier Mike Baird has declared the super storm that has left at least three people dead and several others missing a natural disaster.

He said the declaration will help in the recovery process that will begin once the storm clears and the full extent of the disaster can be assessed.

The declaration means that local governments, families and businesses will be able to access grants made available by the state government to assist in the recovery process.

Baird said they would wait until the full force of the storm had eased before they determine which local councils would be included in the declaration area and who would be able to access funds.

Insurance companies have received more than 19,500 claims from customers stretching from the Central Coast, The Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra regions.

The upgrading for the storm to a catastrophe has triggered the establishment of a taskforce of insurers and a disaster hotline has been set up to help customers with general inquiries about claims.

Insurance companies are now prioritising all storm damage claims and undertaking assessments as soon as possible.

Insurance Council CEO Rob Whelan said the storm had caused damage across large parts of NSW.

“Though most claims so far have been for low-level property damage, mainly from water and wind damage to homes and damage to cars, insurers are also receiving claims for severe damage to houses and roofs. Claims are also being received for stormwater inundation.”