The Insurance Council of Australia announced on Tuesday it had upgraded its classification of the Mid North Coast and Hunter flooding event from “significant event” to “catastrophe”.

Under a “catastrophe” declaration, the ICA intends to instruct the larger insurance industry’s response for affected policy holders.

This can mean adjustments such as:

• Claims from impacted policy holders are given priority

• Claims are triaged and urgent assistance is given to the worse-impacted property owners

• ICA representatives are sent to work with local agencies and services, as well as those affected

• Disaster response specialists are mobilised by insurers to assist customers with claims and assessments

• An industry taskforce is established to address issues that may come up following the catastrophe.

So far, almost 5,000 insurance claims have been recorded by the ICA.

Andrew Hall, CEO of the ICA, said the number one priority is “helping households and businesses in the clean-up and recovery so they can get back on their feet as quickly and safely as possible.”

At the peak of the flooding, 50,000 people were isolated. The natural disaster has cost five lives and kept about 12,000 people isolated.

On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched to help with recovery and mop-up efforts.

Why does it seem like flooding on the Mid North Coast is getting more intense?

Thumbnail Credit: AAP / Dean Lewis