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, 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.
• Know the location of your local council's emergency relief centre (evacuation centre) and the suggested routes.
• Have a designated contact person that you or your family can call to let them know that you are safe.

• 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.
• 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.
• Use the recommended evacuation routes.
• Know a few different routes to your nearest evacuation centre in case some of the roads are flooded.
• Flood-proofing your home (with sandbags or similar) is hard, backbreaking work – allow plenty of time.

• Keep in mind that floodwaters are often deeper than they look. Don't try to walk, swim or drive through flood waters, 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 power lines may be an electrocution risk.

• Keep listening to your 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.

• All meat, poultry, seafood and eggs
• All opened packages
• Anything contained in cardboard, paper, material or foil
• Anything in canisters (such as spices)
• If you're not sure whether a particular item is safe, throw it out.

• Start cleaning up as soon as possible.
• After talking with their insurer, householders 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 has to wait until the house is thoroughly dried out. This can take months.

• Victoria State Emergency Service - Flood or Storm Emergency AssistanceTel. 13 25 00 or your nearest Regional Office
• Your local council
• Your insurance company

• 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 action pln in case of flood.
• Don't try to walk, swim or drive through flood waters.

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