Bad weather and floods can strike at any time, with little warning. But there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of damage to your home and help keep your family safe.
Floods can cause substantial damage to your home and possessions but it's damage that can often be prevented.
Maintaining your property is the first step to take. Clean gutters and downpipes and check inside the roof for leaks. Sweep leaves and debris away from drains and fix any that are blocked to make sure storm water can flow away.
In a flood-prone area, it’s wise to stockpile sandbags and builder’s plastic. A roll of plastic costing around $50 can save your home. Think about covering the floor with rugs that can be rolled up and put up high, rather than carpet. Tiles are least likely to be damaged and are easy to clean. Look at ceiling storage options for lighter household items.
Check the simple Flood Safety checklist below for more on what to do as the bad weather approaches. Always remember the personal safety of you and your family is of paramount importance.
In any emergency, if you need help call the Emergency Service. Look up the number now and keep it by your phone. Always evacuate if you’re asked to. If you pack up and go of your own accord, let people know. Tell police or Emergency Service and your neighbours.
Take some simple precautions to ensure your home and family are prepared before and as a flood approaches:
1. Put together a family emergency kit.
Emergency Services say this is one of the most important things you can do to help keep your family safe in an emergency like a flood. Your emergency kit is a pack of everyday things that you’ll need if you don’t have electricity, light or water. You can get most of them from your supermarket or hardware store.
2. Get to know the flood survival basics.
The better you know what to do in an emergency the less likely you are to panic. These simple checklists will help you survive a flood.
3. Learn basic first aid.
With a good first aid kit, you’ll be more equipped to help a family member who gets hurt. Remember you won’t be able to reach a doctor or hospital until the flood has passed. Better still; learn basic first aid skills by taking a short course with St John's Ambulance.
4. Check your home insurance is up to date
Check that your home building and contents insurance policies haven’t lapsed and include cover for flood. And that you’re insured for the right amount to cover the replacement cost of your home and contents at today’s prices.
The information is general advice and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs, and may not suit your personal circumstances. So before making decisions about insurance products you should consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to your circumstances, and the relevant Policy Wording.
5. Listen to your local radio station for information.
If a flood is imminent, make sure you have a full tank of fuel in case you need and are able to evacuate. Disconnect electrical appliances. Move outdoor equipment, cardboard boxes, garbage, chemicals and poisons to somewhere up high. Check your emergency kit and fill your sinks and bath with fresh drinking water.
6. Know what to do after the flood.
There’s a simple checklist of precautions to take after the emergency has passed.
Further information
The MetService website will have latest weather warnings available on it.
Flood Safety Checklist
You may have plenty of advance warning of a mainstream flood, while a flash flood arrives with no warning at all. While neither can be prevented, follow these tips to help reduce the damage and keep your family safe.
Inside your home:
- Listen to your radio for information. Follow Civil Defence advice and instructions.
- Pack warm clothes, valuables, personal items and photos in waterproof bags.
- Move whatever household items you can to a higher place. Put furniture up onto beds and tables – keep electrical items up on top.
- Be careful if you’re putting things up in your roof space or an upper level, these areas may not be able to safely support extra weight unless they’ve been specially strengthened beforehand.
- Empty your fridge and freezer and leave the doors open to stop them floating.
- Turn off the electricity, gas and water. Take your mobile phone.
- Put sandbags in the toilet bowl and over all bathroom and laundry drain holes to stop sewage flowing back inside.
- Seal doors and windows with plastic, silicon or plywood; put sandbags where you can for added support.
Outside your home:
- Roll out builder’s plastic around the base of your home – leaving 40cm on the ground to put the sandbags on. Tape remaining plastic to the outside walls to a height of 1.5m. Keep downpipes on the outside of the plastic.
- Check and seal all ventilation holes, cellar doorways and points where water can get in.
- Open gates or fences to allow water to flow freely.
- Don’t drive into water if you don’t know how deep it is or how fast it’s flowing.
After the flood.
Inside:
- Check your home for damage to windows, walls or roof.
- For emergency assistance, call your local State Emergency Service.
- If you’re returning to your home, make sure electricity and gas is off before going inside. Use only a torch until you’re sure there’s no leaking gas.
Check your neighbours. Assist them if necessary. Make sure that someone reports the damage in your area to the nearest Civil Defence Centre.
- Remove what excess water you can and mop sodden carpets.
- Don’t eat food that’s been in contact with flood water and boil water until supplies have been declared safe.
Appliances:
- Don’t use electrical items that got wet, have them professionally tested.
- Have gas appliances inspected and cleaned to prevent a gas explosion or fire.
- Check your smoke detectors are still working.
Outside:
- Beware of fallen powerlines, damaged trees and flooded creeks.
- Don’t let children play in or near flood waters.
- If you must enter flood waters, wear solid shoes, not jandals or bare feet, and check the depth and current with a stick. Stay away from drains, culverts and water that is more than knee-deep.
- Don’t drive until you know it’s safe.
Roof:
- Clean gutters and downpipes and check inside the roof for leaks.
Floor:
- In flood-prone areas think about covering the floor with rugs that can be rolled up and put up high, rather than carpet. Tiles are least likely to be damaged and are easy to clean.