15 to float from Victoria State Emergency Service on Vimeo.
Local Flood Guides
Local Flood Guides can help you better understand your flood risk, how flood warnings work and how to prepare yourself, your home or your business.
Visit the Victoria State Emergency Service website to find your local flood guide.
Floods can and do happen in Victoria.
There are areas of higher risk.
Preparing can reduce your risk.
Information on how to prepare is available here.
Floods cause more damage per year in terms of dollars and lives lost than any other natural hazard in Australia. Flooding can happen at any time of the year.
The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is responsible for planning for, and managing floods in Victoria.
Types of flooding
In Riverine flooding, relatively high water levels overflow above the banks of a stream or river. Depending on the local landscape, some floods may pass quickly, while others will move slowly down a river, sometimes lasting for several months.
Flash flooding is caused by heavy rain over a short period of time and is generally defined as developing in six hours or less from rainfall to the onset of flooding.
Flash flooding can sometimes cause storm water drains to overload leaving the water with nowhere to go.
Floods can have significant impacts and consequences such as:
- Loss of life
- Damage to homes or businesses
- Loss of crops, livestock, hay and fodder
- Damage to bridges, roads, buildings and fences
- Damage to pumps and machinery.
A well prepared community can reduce the impact of flooding by up to 80%. People who are prepared are more likely to respond to floods appropriately and safely.
There are a number of things that you can do to make sure you stay safe during flooding.
VICSES has developed a number of local flood guides (for local residents and business owners) and municipal flood emergency plans (for councils and other stakeholders) to explain local flood risks for communities and advise on how to best prepare for and respond to flood events.
Types of flood warnings
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to tell people about possible flooding.
A Flood Watch means there is there is a developing weather pattern that might cause floods in one or two days.
A Flood Warning means flooding is about to happen or is already happening. Flood Warnings are classified into Minor, Moderate and Major depending on the expected size and impact of the flood. VICSES will provide information about how the floodwater at those warning levels might affect people and properties and these warnings will be issued via VicEmergency.
Severe Weather Warnings or Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued when heavy rain fall that could lead to flash flooding is expected. Flash flooding happens quickly. There may be little or no warning. The arrival time and depth of a flash flood cannot usually be predicted.
Remember that you may not receive any official warning. If you think you are at risk, do not wait for an official warning to act.
Flood Preparation (Well before a flood)
- Learn more about the risk of flooding in your area.
- Check to see if your community has a Local Flood Guide or other local flood information at ses.vic.gov.au/get-ready/your-local-flood-information
- Talk to locals or neighbours about previous and likely impacts in the area
- Know what to do if flooding occurs
- Put together an Emergency Kit and prepare a home or business Emergency Plan, see: redcross.org.au/prepare
- Check your home and contents insurance covers flooding.
Before a flood (Take Action)
- Contact family and neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation and know what to do.
- Plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate.
- Be prepared you may be isolated for an extended period of time. Make sure you have essential supplies prepared to last for at least three to five days, including food, drinking water, medications and pet food.
- Floodwater can be very deep, rise quickly and move fast.
- Never drive on flooded roads. You can stay safe by avoiding flooded areas.
- Know how to ‘Bag it, block it, lift it and leave’:
- Bag it - by laying sandbags where water may get into your home.
- Block it - by covering your toilet and drains to prevent back-flow.
- Lift it - by moving valuables up onto tables and benchtops.
- Leave - leave early to the homes of family or friends on higher ground
- Know how to sandbag - Sandbagging Quick Reference Guide
VICSES Bag it, block it, lift it & leave Campaign_URBAN_SUBS from Victoria State Emergency Service on Vimeo.
During the flood
- Floodwater is dangerous. Stay safe by never entering floodwater.
- Stay informed – monitor weather warnings and forecasts at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through the VicEmergency app, website and hotline (1800 226 226).
- Call 132 500 for emergency assistance from VICSES.
- Call Triple Zero (000) in life threatening emergencies.
- If you evacuate from your home or workplace:
- Remember to take your pets, mobile phone, spare clothes, mask and medications.
- Turn off gas and electricity at your home or workplace.
- Travel to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location, away from flooding.
- Check for road closures when you leave and follow instructions from emergency services.
- Energy safety before evacuating:
- Turn off all switches at the main electrical switchboard, including the Main Switch.
- Unplug all your appliances and if you can, lift them up so they will remain clear of any floodwater that may inundate your property.
- Turn your solar system off at the inverter and then turn off at the switchboard (all switches on the switchboard should be in the OFF position). The solar system will have information on shut down procedures.
- You should turn off your gas supply by locating your gas meter and turning the gas supply service valve to the “OFF” position by rotating the handle to so that it is horizontal.
- Before evacuating, make sure all LPG cylinders are closed (clockwise to close the cylinder valve) at the valve on top of the cylinder. Do not disconnect any appliance unless the LPG cylinder is being relocated away from danger
- Don’t stay in a house or building that is inundated by flood water when the power is connected.
- More information https://www.esv.vic.gov.au/community-safety/emergencies/energy-safety-during-floods
- If you are travelling:
- Stay safe by never driving through floodwater. It can take just 15cm of flowing water to float a car - that’s the height of an average pen.
- Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded.
- Be aware of driving hazard such as mud, debris, damaged roads, and fallen or damaged trees.
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over on higher ground away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater.
- Tune in to emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio or designated commercial radio stations to monitor the situation. Floodwater is a powerful force and there are many unseen dangers. You can’t see what lies under the water. Roads can be washed away, bridges can be damaged and floodwater may contain sewage and debris. Never drive on flooded roads.
After the flood
- If water has entered your property,
- do not turn on electricity supply until the property wiring has been tested by a licensed electrician.
- do not turn on gas supplies until they have been checked by a licensed gasfitter, who will need to rectify this by purging the fitting line. They will also assist with relighting pilot lights.
- If any appliances have been inundated, do not plug them in or switch them on until they have been tested by a licensed electrician or gasfitter.
- If you are using a generator, do not attempt to connect it to the wiring of your home. A generator should only be used outside, with an extension cord to supply power direct to appliances such as the fridge or freezer. Using a generator indoors creates a number of safety risks including the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning or a fire
- If your home has been impacted by floodwater, do not switch on your solar system at the mains or the inverter. The solar system and battery must be inspected by a licensed electrician before it can be re-energised.
- For more information, visit https://www.esv.vic.gov.au/community-safety/emergencies/energy-safety-during-floods
VicEmergency app
The VicEmergency app aligns with the VicEmergency website to provide a centralised location for Victorians to access timely emergency information and warnings.
The app includes warnings and incident notifications for fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tsunami, weather warnings, shark sightings, beach closures and more.
In order to receive location specific app alerts when warnings are issued or incidents occur, you need to set up your watch zones.
You can download VicEmergency from the App Store or Google Play.
For app support, please visit the VicEmergency Knowledge Base.
