Severe storm damage hotspots have shifted across most states over the past five years, according to Suncorp claims data.

The insurer says its analysis – taking in more than 346,000 home natural hazard claims in the five mainland states from FY22-FY26 – reveals “an alarming trend: severe storms don’t have a permanent postcode”.

The hottest spots in Queensland, NSW and SA changed every year, while Werribee topped Victoria’s list twice – last year and in FY22. WA has a more consistent pattern, with Halls Head recording the highest number of home claims in four of five years.

Last year’s leading hotspots were Manly West in Queensland, Gwandalan in NSW, Werribee in Victoria, Port Pirie South in SA and Halls Head in WA.

In Queensland – the state with the most claims, at 126,752 – Maryborough and Gympie featured among the hotspots in multiple years. Manly West topped the FY26 ranking following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the southeast Queensland hailstorms.

NSW, with 97,378 claims, had changing hotspots, although communities on the Central Coast faced significant impacts, with Gwandalan, Erina and Bateau Bay featuring repeatedly. Suncorp says FY22 was the worst year of the five, when Lismore topped the ranking following devastating floods.

In Victoria, 68,928 claims revealed Melbourne’s west and southeast, Greater Shepparton and Greater Geelong were severe storm hotspots over the five years.

The analysis shows a persistent pattern in Melbourne’s growth corridors: Werribee was among the state’s worst-hit areas in every year, and Cranbourne, Craigieburn and Hoppers Crossing also featured repeatedly. Werribee’s return to the top position in FY26 followed a tornado in Melbourne’s outer west.

WA, with 39,264 claims, was the most consistent state – Waikiki took top spot from Halls Head in FY24 alone.

SA recorded 14,319 claims, with Aberfoyle Park topping the ranking for three years from FY23, before Port Pirie South took over in FY26.

Suncorp’s outlook for this spring suggests significant weather events may be less frequent than normal, but severe thunderstorms, damaging wind, hail and heavy rain remain possible across mainland states.