Storms and floods

Storms and floods are natural occurrences that can happen any time of year. Read on to find how to plan ahead for storms and floods, and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Storms

Severe storms can happen at any time of the year. They can:

• cause flash flooding, landslip and lightning strikes
• disrupt communities through injury, property damage or the loss of life, income, agricultural assets and stock
• disrupt major services such as electricity and water.

Plan ahead

Severe storms are difficult to predict and can happen suddenly, so you're not likely to receive warnings with enough time to prepare appropriately. It's therefore better to make sure you're well prepared ahead of time.

Severe storms use up many local resources, so it's best for you and your family to be responsible for your own safety. In a severe storm, emergency services receive many requests for assistance at the same time. This can result in a perceived delay in response, however emergency services will make every effort to attend to requests as soon as possible.

Here are some tips for preparing for severe storms:

• Develop a well thought-out personal emergency plan. Involve everyone who lives in your household and make sure you all agree on the plan.
• Understand the nature and history of storms in your area, and stay alert for storm warnings.
• Have an emergency kit ready at all times so you and your family have supplies if a severe storm disrupts your power or access to and from your property.
• Make sure your emergency kit is up to date. Check the 'use by' dates on food and bottled water and replace if necessary.
• Check that you have adequate insurance cover for your home and contents.
• 'Make sure your property is generally tidy. For example, don't leave gardening tools outside after use, clean guttering and downpipes frequently, make sure tree branches are trimmed.

For more information, visit the VIC SES website.

Floods

Floods are a natural, inevitable occurance. They happen from time to time in our river systems, natural drainage and constructed drainage systems. Flash flooding can happen anywhere, any time when heavy rainfall cannot drain away quickly.

Floods can severely disrupt communities, causing loss of life, personal hardship, property damage, and agricultural and stock losses.

Plan ahead

SES VIC has created a flood checklist to help you plan ahead.

SES VIC, in partnership with Council, North East Catchment Management Authority, SES NSW and the Victorian Government, has also released a Local Flood Guide for Towong Shire. View the guide on the SES website.

In the event of a flood

In the event of flooding, follow these four steps:

1. Bag it - by correctly laying sandbags where water may get into your home: external doors, underfloor air vents etc.
2. Block it - by covering your toilet and shower plug drains to prevent sewage backflow.
3. Lift it - by shifting valuables and important things up onto tables, shelves or benchtops and moving livestock to higher paddocks on your property or to safer places on other farms. Decide now what items are important for you to protect and put that list in your plan.
4. Leave - leave early and go to the home of family or friends in a safer area, or to a relief centre that might be organised by your local council. Please note, COVID-19 travel restrictions do not apply in an emergency situation.

For more information, visit the SES website.