Prepare for a flood

People prepare for a flood before it happens are more likely to keep themselves, their families and pets safe. Find out about preparing your flood plan and steps you can take to reduce the impact and damage from floodwaters.

When to prepare

It doesn’t have to be raining in your area for a flood to impact you. You could be at risk even if you’ve never seen floodwaters near your home.

You should make a flood plan now and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if there is flooding.

Watch our 1.20 minute video to learn important steps you can take to avoid injury or death during a flood. View transcript.

Know the flood alerts and warnings

Prepare

Prepare for a flood by reviewing your flood plan.
Ensure your emergency kit is complete and start preparing your home inside and out.
Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters, as they are dangerous. Do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.

Take action now

Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to evacuate.
Relocate equipment and livestock.
Prepare pet food or stockfeed in case you cannot return home for a few days.
Obey road closure signs and be careful at crossings and floodways as river levels may rise rapidly.

Prepare to evacuate: there will be impact

Know where you will go and have your emergency kit ready to take with you.
Make sure everyone in your household is wearing strong shoes and suitable clothing.
Secure loose objects and raise furniture off the floor.
Disconnect electricity, water and gas main supplies (if instructed by emergency services).
Create sandbags and be ready to place them in toilets and over drains to prevent sewerage backflow.

Evacuate now: leave immediately

Go immediately to a safer place and take your emergency and relocation kits with you. If you cannot leave place sandbags across doorways and over drainage holes and in toilets to prevent backflow. Seek shelter in the highest safe area of the house.
Obey road closure signs and be careful at crossings and floodways as river levels may rise.

Take care: cancellation

Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to act.
Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous and avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches and ravines.
Obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.

Prepare your flood plan

You will have a better chance of surviving if everyone in your household agrees on a flood plan and you write it down.

Did you know? Most household insurances policies do not provide flood cover. Do you know if your house insurance covers you for flood?

Prepare an emergency kit

Your emergency kit must be kept in a waterproof plastic container or heavy-duty water-resistant bag. You may be without power, water and other essential services for several days after a flood.

Prepare your pets and livestock

When preparing your family and property for natural disasters, you also need to consider your pets and livestock.

Ensure that your pets are properly identified with a name tag or microchip or that you have a recent photo of them with you, and that stock registers for your livestock are current.

Find out more about pet and livestock welfare in an emergency by visiting the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.

You can also ask your local government if there are pet or livestock welfare arrangements in place during an emergency.

Prepare your property

You should prepare your home and property for potential flooding.

Check your home, contents and car insurance cover are in order.
Identify where and how to turn off the electricity, gas and water mains.
Purchase emergency equipment such as containers to store drinking water, extra fuel supplies and hessian bags for sandbags.
Store all chemicals and poisons well above ground level.
Identify items that you will want to raise if floodwaters threaten your home.
Consider alternatives to carpet floor coverings.
Relocate electricity sockets and power points to well above floor level.