Prepare & Get Ready

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Preparing for floods

Victoria has many areas that are prone to flooding. Here's how you and your loved ones can be flood ready and stay safe. 

For emergency flood assistance, call SES on 132 500. 

For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000). 

General flood knowledge and preparation:  

  • Learn more about the risk of flooding in your area: 

  • 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 (VICSES) website to find your local flood guide. 

  • Talk to locals or neighbours about previous and likely impacts in the area. 

  • Put together an emergency kit and prepare a home or business emergency plan. For more information, visit: redcross.org.au/prepare 

  • Check your home and contents insurance covers flooding. 

Before a flood: 

  • 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, or lose services including power, water, sewerage and gas. Make sure you have essential supplies prepared to last for at least three to five days, including food, drinking water, medications and pet food.  

  • Leaving early before flooding occurs and going to family or friends on higher ground or who are in a safe location away from flooding is always the safest option. 

  • Floodwater can be very deep, rise quickly and move fast. 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. 

  • Stay safe while camping: Avoid camping on low-lying land near creeks, rivers, streams and other waterways. 

During a 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), or local emergency radio broadcasters.   

  • For emergency flood assistance, call SES on 132 500. 

  • For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000). 

  • If you are inside: 

  • Stay inside and be aware of rising floodwater and changing conditions. 

  • If floodwater comes inside, move to a higher point such as a kitchen bench or second storey. 

  • Contact family members and neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation, if safe to do so. 

  • If you are outside: 

  • Stay away from trees, drains, low-lying areas, creeks, canals, culverts and floodwater. 

  • Seek shelter indoors, away from floodwater. 

  • 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. 

  • If you are travelling: 

  • Stay safe by never driving through floodwater. It can take just 15cm of flowing water to float as small car. 

  • Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded. 

  • Be aware of driving hazards, 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 and designated commercial radio stations to monitor the situation. 

  • If it is unsafe to leave: 

  • You may become isolated. Make sure you have essential supplies to last for at least three to five days, including food, drinking water, medications and pet food.  

  • To prevent sewerage backflow entering your home, block toilets, sinks and drains with sandbags, plugs or household items.  

  • Move valuables and vital household items up on high surfaces such as on top of tables, chairs, benches and beds.  

After a flood 

  • Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen or damaged trees and powerlines, which may still be present.

  • Drive slowly, obey all road signs and never drive through floodwater. 

  • Do not enter other damaged or flooded buildings until authorities advise it is safe to do so.  

  • 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. 

  • Floodwater is toxic. Seek out relief and recovery information via the VicEmergency app, website and Hotline (1800 226 226) and consider the following advice: 

  • Contaminated sandbags must be disposed of carefully and never reused. 

  • It is important for your health to dispose of or properly clean contaminated items to stay safe from dangerous mould, chemical and biologic hazards in floodwater. 

  • Drinking water may be contaminated so seek out information to confirm it is safe to consume.  

  • If cleaning up after a flood, protect your health and safety. Wear strong boots, gloves and protective clothing and wash your hands and clothes regularly. 

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.

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