By doing so, residents can help reduce the amount of damage caused in severe weather.

NSW SES volunteers spent countless hours responding to more than 16,000 storm emergency call outs across the state during the last storm season and there’s concern that number could rise with a wet storm season forecast.

In the Mid North Coast area alone, volunteers responded to around 426 storm jobs last season.

SES Acting Mid North Coast SES Region Controller Heath Stimson said most of the damage they saw was from trees crashing down on homes and vehicles.

“This was along with leaking and damaged roofs, but much of this damage was preventable,” he said.

“Some simple things you can do now to get ready for the storm season includes trimming trees, cleaning gutters and downpipes and securing loose items around the yard or balcony.

“It’s also vital that people remember to stay out of floodwater because NSW SES volunteers have already responded to numerous flood rescues this year.”

Earlier in the year, NRMA Insurance worked with the NSW SES and University of New South Wales to conduct scientific research to prove that driving through floodwater isn’t safe.

The research found that it takes very little water to make even a large vehicle unstable.

Once the water reaches the floor of the vehicle, it becomes very vulnerable, and there is enough force to make the vehicle float away.

“In addition to preparing their homes for storm season, people need to be aware of the dangers of driving through floodwater,” said Ramana James, Head of Shared Value for NRMA Insurance.

"Common sense says that people shouldn’t drive through floodwater, yet NSW SES volunteers are increasingly rescuing people who have misjudged flooded roads.”

The official storm season runs from October to March but storms can happen at any time of the year so it is important people are always prepared for severe weather.

More storm safety tips are available at: www.stormsafe.com.au or www.nrma.com.au/ses.