Key Points
- Never drive in flooded water as it only takes 15 cm of water for a car to float and drift away
- Call your State Emergency Service (SES) for support on 13 25 00. Ring 000 if your life is in immediate danger
The Bureau of Meteorology or BOM has released multiple flood warnings for eastern Australia due to the weather event which is causing above average rainfall.
Findings from Allianz show that Australians are not as prepared as they should be for floods due to a lack of knowledge. The insurer’s national claims manager Mark O’Connor says sadly, storm and flood season inflicted $2.4 billion in damage to Australian homes last year.
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Plan ahead, be prepared for emergency
O’Connor recommends doing research by speaking to your neighbours and local emergency support agencies. He recommends checking your insurance policy every year and drawing up a home emergency plan that you share with your family.
Create an emergency pack with a first aid kit, water and food supplies and of course portable charger.
If you know that your home is likely to be inundated, Baker suggests making preparations in advance such as lifting all your valuables above higher ground although the best precaution is to not be in a flood-prone area in the first place.
David Baker, the deputy chief officer of Victoria State Emergency Service or VICSES, encourages people to develop an in case of fire or flooding scenarios. The information on how to prepare your home for a disaster can be found on your local SES website.
Baker also recommends blocking your sewerage and drains in advance with garbage or shopping bags filled with dirt or sand to prevent sewerage from coming up through your toilet and drainage when flooding occurs.
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If you have to evacuate, plan the route before you leave, and find out alternative routes, so you know how to get to your destination safely.
It is always safer to leave as early as possible in a flood.
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Do not drive on flooded roads
Baker warns against driving through shallow waters in the event of a heavy downpour as flash flooding can occur quickly. Driving into floodwater is the main cause of death during floods.
If you are caught in heavy downfalls, it is best to pull over to a safe place or get to higher ground.
It’s too dangerous. Some cars only need 15 cm, the length of a normal pen in order for it to float in flood water.
If you can no longer get out of your vehicle, it becomes a potentially serious emergency that requires ringing triple zero (000) for immediate support.
Stacey Pidgeon, national research manager from Australia’s Royal Life Saving Society says pedestrians should also avoid going into flood waters under any circumstance.
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When unable to leave
If you are caught in rising floodwater and unable to leave, this becomes a life-threatening situation, and you must seek shelter in the safest and highest point you can find and call triple zero (000).
Rising floodwater can lead to properties becoming isolated, outage in electricity, disruption to sewerage and other amenities.
if you're unable to leave, but still have cleaning running water, fill containers with fresh water so you have supplies available.
It is important to remember that most food kept in refrigerator will become unsafe to eat if the electricity supply is lost.
If you are isolated due to floodwater cutting off access, do not try to evacuate, it could become more dangerous than staying and waiting for help.
If you are caught in floodwater
- Go with the current
- Raise your hand to indicate your need help
- Float on your back to keep your head out of the water
- Hold onto something that floats such as an esky, a ball or a boogie board
And it’s vital that you do not seek to rescue someone by going into the water yourself as many people do end up drowning in their attempts to save others.
The best you can do is call emergency services. You can help by throwing something that floats to keep that person above water.
In the event of an emergency, Baker says human life should always come first.
Visit your local State Emergency Service (SES) website or for more information on preparing for flooding events.
If you require support in a flooded area, call SES by dialling 13 25 00.
Call 000 immediately if your life is in immediate danger.
For language support, call the national translating and interpreting service on 13 14 50 and ask for your designated agency.
For up-to-date information about emergencies from around Australia, along with advice to protect you and your property go to
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