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Flood information sheet

Flood information sheet 64.26 KB

Home emergency kit for floods and storms

To prepare your household for a flood or storm event, one of the most important things you can do is have an emergency kit and a home emergency plan. Your emergency kit should contain the necessary items you and your family may require in case of an emergency, power outage or if you need to evacuate your home. Most items can be collected from the supermarket or hardware store and should be stored in a sturdy, light-weight box or carry bag, in a place that is easy to access. The following suggested list of what your kit should contain is taken from the SES website.

Items that should be in your kit at all times

  • A portable radio (listen to your local ABC radio station for updates) and spare batteries.
  • A torch with spare batteries and bulb.
  • Candles, waterproof matches and first aid kit.
  • Important papers and a list of emergency contact numbers.
  • A copy of your household emergency plan (indicating actions to be taken during an emergency).
  • Rubber gloves.
  • A waterproof bag for valuables.

Items that should be in your kit for floods and storms

  • A good supply of required medication.
  • Any special requirements for babies and the disabled, infirm or elderly.
  • Fresh food and drinks.
  • Basic provisions for your pets.
  • Strong shoes.

Important documents could include

  • Insurance papers (for car, house and contents, and other valuables).
  • Wills, passports, stocks and bonds.
  • Medicare and pension cards, immunisation records.
  • House deeds, mortgage papers.
  • Birth certificates.
  • Inventory of valuable household items.
  • Bank account and credit card numbers.
  • Other papers depending on family’s needs
    (eg. veterinary records for pets).

You should also consider

  • Precious photos, videos and other mementos.
  • Backup of computer files.
  • Jewellery, special keepsakes.
  • Children’s special toys.

Items to consider for babies

  • Nappies, wipes and spare clothes.
  • Formulas and bottles.
  • Medications and copies of prescriptions.
  • Special toys and blankets.

Items to consider for adults

  • Heart and high blood pressure medication.
  • Insulin and syringes.
  • Denture needs.
  • Contact lenses and supplies, extra eye-glasses.
  • Hearing-aid batteries.
  • Prescription medications and copies of prescriptions.

Items to consider for pets

  • A collar, lead or pet carrier for each pet.
  • Pet food and feeding dish.
  • Veterinary papers.

Your home emergency plan should include

  • What steps you will need take to protect your home, belongings and car.
  • How you will contact the members of your family.
  • What you will need to do if evacuating.
  • Details for an out-of-town family member or friend that can act as a household contact person.
  • Locations of evacuation routes and centres.
  • What to take if evacuating.
  • What to turn off as you leave.
  • Where you will go or meet others.

Large parts of the Byron shire are susceptible to flooding and storms

If you live close to a creek, river or major stormwater drain, or in a low-lying area, you may be at risk from flooding due heavy storms or flooding rain, even if you haven’t experienced it personally.

What to do now

Find out whether you live in or near a flood-prone area.  Your Council or local SES Unit can help you.  Your Council has a floodplain map for the majority of the Shire.

If you live in a flood prone area

  • Find out how deep the water could get in and around your property.
  • Prepare a flood plan for you household. Know exactly what you are going to do in a flood event. If you will need to evacuate, plan where you will go. It will help the emergency agencies if you can be self-sufficient, for example by arranging to stay with relatives or friends on high ground. Have this planned, including which roads you will use to evacuate.
  • Keep your local emergency numbers handy.
  • Have an emergency kit handy - a detailed list of suggested contents for your home emergency kit is listed on the other side of this pamphlet.

When there is a flood warning

  • Listen to your local ABC radio station for updates.
  • Check www.bom.gov.au for warnings.
  • Check your immediate neighbours have heard the warnings.
  • Prepare yourself and your property.

You may need to do the following

  • Move garbage containers, chemicals and poisons beyond the reach of the water.
  • Secure objects that might float away and cause damage.
  • Move stock and equipment to high ground.
  • Stack your furniture and other possessions beyond the reach of the water. Place electrical goods on top.
  • Check your car and keep it full of fuel.

If you need to evacuate

  • Empty refrigerators and freezers, leave the doors open and turn off the power. Turn off the electricity, gas and water.
  • Collect your valuables, mementos and medications and take them with you.
  • Tell the Police, SES or your neighbours when you leave.

After the flood has arrived

  • Don’t drive or walk through the flood waters.
  • Keep listening to your local ABC radio station.
  • Avoid using gas or electrical appliances that have come into contact with the floodwater.
  • Drink only bottled or boiled water until water supplies have been declared safe.
  • Never eat food that has been in contact with floodwater.
  • Keep in touch with your neighbours in case they need help.
  • Be prepared to evacuate if advised.

How the SES can help you

The SES is the lead agency and responsible for dealing with floods in New South Wales.  During a flood, SES volunteers are responsible for flood safety advice, evacuation, rescue and the provision of essentials to people cut off by floodwaters. The SES flood number is 132 500. You should visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au for further information.

How your council helps

With the large number of young people and new residents to the Shire, Council is continually alerting residents to the fact that floods can occur.

In major storms and floods, road closures and other flood related information is updated on Council’s website www.byron.nsw.gov.au.

For road closure information click on Our Services, Roads and Traffic then go to Road closures. Or, call one of the Council road closure numbers listed here for major and minor flood events. The information only relates to through-roads that allow travel around the Shire. Information will not be available for every local street or rural access road.

For detailed road closure information on highways and main roads, see the RTA website www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

Other sources of information

  • Bureau of meteorology www.bom.gov.au for information on flood predictions, weather warnings, rainfall and river heights.
  • Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) www.rta.nsw.gov.au for detailed road information.
  • State Emergency Services (SES) www.ses.nsw.gov.au or call 132 500 for  emergency help in floods and storms.

Information service

During major floods council provides support to the SES and the community.  You can contact the council’s works department on: 02 6685 9300.