PREPARE FOR A FLOOD

Learning how to prepare for a flood could save your life.

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

There are three warning levels which change to reflect the risk to your life or property before, during or after a flood. These are the same warning levels as bushfire, storm and cyclone.

After a flood, an Advice or Watch and Act will be issued depending on the hazards and risk still present. Only in circumstances where there is an imminent threat to lives and homes will a flood Emergency Warning be issued.

Advice - Flood is forecast
Watch and Act - Flood is forecast
Emergency Warning - During a flood
Watch and Act - After a flood
Advice - After a flood

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.

Your flood plan should address the following
Pets and animals

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.

Your emergency kit should include:
Relocation items:
Kit additions once an alert is issued:

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 pet
Manage your livestock
Evacuating without your pets

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.

More Information

During a flood

There are a number of things you can do to keep your property and belongings safe.

Learn more

Recovering from a flood

Find out what to expect after a flood and what action you can take to recover.

Learn more

Flood overview

Know the risks and understand the importance of preparing for a flood and the steps to take to avoid injury or death.

Learn more