Emergencies - floods

Floods cost Australians around 400 million dollars every year. Southern areas of Australia typically experience flooding during the winter and spring months. The Bureau of Meteorology, in consultation with other services including water authorities, State Emergency Services and local councils, issues flood warnings that help citizens to prepare or evacuate.

The main types of floods affecting Australia include flooding of rivers or drainage systems caused by exceptionally heavy rains, and storm surges caused by tropical cyclones. Flash flooding carries the greatest risk of injury or death since the suddenness of the water catches people unawares.

Flood history

Contact your local council to find out the flood history of your neighbourhood. Some of the things you need to know include how high the river must rise before your home is threatened by flood and the flood evacuation plans in your area.

Have a household emergency plan

Your family should devise an emergency plan in case of flood. Suggestions include:

• Have an emergency kit already packed. This should include a radio, torches, batteries, canned food, bottled water, first aid kit, regular medication, spare warm clothing, gloves and plastic bags, and insurance and other important papers. Keep these items in waterproof containers or bags.
• Your radio should be portable and battery operated. Consider having a spare in case the first radio gets wet or damaged.
• Know where the power, gas, water mains switches and taps are located and learn how and when to switch them off.
• Establish a safe meeting point in case of a sudden emergency.
• In the event you decide to leave your property, know the safest route.
• Have a contact person for you or your family to call to let them know that you are safe.
• Discuss how you will care for your pets or other animals on your property.

What to do in a flood

Suggestions include:

• Move items you want to save to the highest point in your house (such as top floor, attic or ‘crawl space’).
• Keep up to date with developments by staying tuned to the radio. Set your radio to ABC local radio. ABC is the emergency services broadcaster during emergencies and will have up-to-date information.
• Switch off the gas and electricity.
• Open the doors of heavy and airtight items (such as refrigerators) to allow the water in, otherwise they could be tipped over and damaged.
• If you plan to leave your home do so before the waters rise. Don’t forget to pack dry clothes, regular medications, important valuables and your mobile phone.
• Inform neighbours and authorities of your intention to leave.
• In the event you decide to leave your property, know the safest route.
• Listen to your local ABC radio station or contact the SES on 132 500 to find out the location of your relief centre.
• Take your pets with you if you decide to leave your property.
• Flood-proofing your home (with sandbags or similar) is hard, backbreaking work – ask friends and neighbours for help and allow plenty of time.

Don’t take unnecessary risks

People risk their lives by trying to travel through floodwaters. The cause of injury or death may include drowning or sustaining heavy blows to the body and head while being swept along by the current. Suggestions that could save your life include:

• Keep in mind that floodwaters are often deeper than they look. Don’t try to walk, swim or drive through floodwaters, especially if you can see a current.
• Do not assume that good swimming skills will keep you safe. Swirling objects in the floodwaters, such as tree branches, could strike you.
• If your vehicle is overcome by water, leave it and move to higher ground immediately.
• Try to keep dry. Being wet and cold for any length of time could lead to hypothermia – a dangerous condition characterised by lower than normal body temperature.
• Downed powerlines pose a risk of electrocution.

Safety suggestions immediately after the flood

Once the waters recede, suggestions include:

• Keep listening to ABC local radio for updates.
• Don’t use any gas or electrical appliances. Have them checked first.
• Local water supplies may be contaminated. Boil tap water until the authorities tell you that the water is safe to drink.
• Avoid any areas that remain flooded.

Food supplies may be contaminated

Floodwaters can affect food through direct contact or, indirectly, during interrupted power supply. Throw away:

• Food that has come into direct contact with floodwater
• Any food that has an unusual odour, colour or texture
• Perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that have been left at above 5°C for more than four hours
• Canned food if the can is open, bulging or damaged
• Food containers with screw caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soft drink bottles), twist caps, flip top lids and home canned foods.

For cleaning cans that are sealed, not bulging and intact but have come into contact with floodwater:

• Remove the labels
• Wash the cans
• Dip them in a solution of 1.5 cups of household chlorine bleach in 10 litres of water (a household bucket) for two minutes
• Relabel the cans with a waterproof marker pen.

Cleaning up

Suggestions include:

• Start cleaning up as soon as possible. Tackle one room at a time, making sure that you are working in a well ventilated area.
• After talking with your insurer, you should remove water damaged possessions, such as carpets and soft furnishings, from the building as part of the clean up, and store them in a safe place. They may be required to be inspected as part of the claims process.
• Sweep out water. Don’t forget to check for blocked drains in the shower and sinks.
• Open the doors and windows to help the house to dry out. Open access doors to underneath the house too.
• Consult with a building engineer to make sure your house remains structurally sound.
• Repainting and redecorating should be left for at least three months until the house is thoroughly dried out. Painting or papering too soon may result in mould, blistering and peeling. Laying vinyl too soon may trap moisture.

Where to get help

• For life-threatening emergencies, call triple zero (000) – an operator can talk you through what to do until medical help arrives
• State Emergency Service Victoria (SES) Tel. 132 500 – for emergency flood or storm assistance
• SES Victoria Flood and Storm Information Line Tel. 1300 842 737 – for updates on current flood events
• Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice 24 hours, 7 days
• Your local council
• Your insurance company

Things to remember

• Floods cost Australians around 400 million dollars every year.
• Southern areas of Australia typically experience flooding during the winter and spring months.
• Contact your local council to find out the flood history of your neighbourhood.
• Your family should devise an emergency plan in case of flood.
• Don’t try to walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
• Listen to ABC local radio for updates.

You might also be interested in:

• Emergencies - coping without gas or electricity.
  
• Emergencies - who to call in a crisis.
  
• Emergencies - calling triple zero 000.
  

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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: May 2010

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Emergencies_floods?open">Emergencies - floods - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Floods represent danger for people, animals and property. Flash flooding carries the greatest risk of injury or death. You can prepare for floods by devising a household emergency plan. Keep an emergency kit including canned food, bottled water, a first aid kit, radio, torches, batteries, spare warm clothing, documents, regular medication and other items. Don't take unnecessary risks during a flood.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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