by Stephanie Gardiner
You know it's storm season when weather reports compare hail to golf balls.
As storms hit Sydney's upper north shore in February, there were reports of golf ball-sized hailstones falling at Pymble Golf Club, of all places, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's severe storm archive.
Pymble and other suburbs across north Sydney make a regular appearance on the bureau's comprehensive severe storm database, which dates back to the 18th century.
Suburbs in the north and north-west of the city topped NRMA Insurance's list of Sydney areas worst affected by storms, based on its 2016-17 claim data.
Kellyville was top of the list, followed by St Ives, Rouse Hill, Wahroonga, Turramurra, Beaumont Hills, Castle Hill, Pymble, Glenhaven, and Hornsby.
Humidity and moisture from the coast also contribute, he said.
The NSW areas with the most storm-related claims were northern Sydney, Illawarra, the northern beaches, north-west Sydney, and the Hunter region.
As summer storms start rumbling in, the State Emergency Service is urging people to prepare their homes, after responding to 20,000 storm and flood-related calls for help last season.
The SES website advises people to store or secure loose yard items that could be blown around in the wind, clear gutters and pipes, trim trees that could fall, fix existing roof damage, and to check what's covered by their insurance policy.
"People can be proactive now by preparing their homes, having an emergency kit ready and making an emergency plan. These steps are very simple, but incredibly effective in helping prevent injury and damage during storms," SES commissioner Mark Smethurst said in a statement.
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