Plan for an emergency: Flood
Updated
Before a flood
Prepare your home
- Obtain a copy of your local council's flood plan; it will show the location of problem areas, evacuation routes and relief centres.
- If you could be cut off by floodwaters, make preparations.
- Work out what the safest route to leave your property will be.
- Organise sandbags and sand; your local council is the best place to start.
- Tune in to your local ABC station and keep listening for advice and warnings. You can find your local station on the ABC Local Radio frequency finder.
What should you do when you hear a flood warning?
- Identify the safest route to your nearest relief centre; leave well before roads are closed by water.
- Get ready to move vehicles, outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to higher locations.
- Work out which indoor items you want to put in a higher spot.
- Think about what you will do with the contents of your fridge and freezer.
- Check your emergency kit and make plans to keep your pets safe.
- Let friends, family and neighbours know what your plans are.
What to do if you need to evacuate
- Along with your emergency kit, pack warm clothing, essential medications, valuables, personal papers, mobile phone, photos and mementos in waterproof bags.
- If you can't take your pets with you, decide how you will look after them.
- Raise furniture, clothing and other valuables onto beds, tables and into roof spaces.
- Empty freezers and refrigerators, leaving doors open.
- Turn off power, water and gas.
- Lock your home and take the safest evacuation route out of the area.
- Don't drive in water of unknown depth and current.
- Remember: Walking through floodwater is very dangerous.
Whether you stay or go
- Put sandbags in the toilet bowl and over all drains; this will stop sewage back-flow.
During a flood
- Avoid driving, walking, swimming or playing in floodwater.
- If you are caught in floodwater, call for help immediately.
- If you have to walk through floodwater, do so very carefully — wear solid shoes and use a stick to check depth and current.
- Avoid drains, culverts and water that is knee-deep or higher.
- Stay well away from fallen powerlines — electrical current passes easily through water.
- Floodwater may contain sewage, so take precautions.
- Identify your nearest relief centre and the safest route to get there, but only go if you are sure it is safe.
- Let family and friends know where you are and where you are going.
- Keep listening to your local ABC station on a battery-powered radio for updates and instructions.
- Got information that could help others? Get in contact with your ABC Local Radio station and tell them what you can see; reliable first-hand knowledge can help others in the community.
After a flood
- Stay tuned to your ABC Local Radio station on a battery-powered radio for official advice and warnings.
- Don't return home until authorities have said it is safe to do so.
- Don't allow children to play in or near floodwater.
- Avoid entering floodwater — it is dangerous.
- If you must enter floodwaters, wear solid shoes and use a stick to check depth and current.
- Stay away from drains, culverts and water that is knee-deep or higher.
- Don't turn on your gas or electricity until it has been checked by a professional; the same goes for appliances.
- Don't eat food which has been in floodwater.
- Boil tap water until supplies have been declared safe.
- Watch for trapped animals.
- Beware of fallen powerlines.
- Take lots of photos of all damage for insurance claims.
Let your family and friends know where you are.
In case you become separated from loved ones during an emergency, Red Cross manages Register.Find.Reunite, a national registration and enquiry service. When the service is activated, people can register at www.redcross.org.au or in person at an evacuation or relief centre. You can also use the website if you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been affected.
Flood emergency services
- New South Wales State Emergency Service
- Victorian State Emergency Service
- Queensland State Emergency Service
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA)
- Northern Territory State Emergency Service
- South Australian State Emergency Service
- Australian Capital Territory State Emergency Service
- Tasmanian State Emergency Service
Topics: floods
First posted
