Flood Safety Guide

Before the event

• Know your flood risk: check flood maps, past flooding in your area, and whether you live downstream of a dam or levee.
• Prepare an evacuation plan to higher ground and keep fuel in your vehicle in flood season.
• Move valuables, documents and electrical equipment above expected flood level.
• Keep drains and gutters clear; consider sandbags/flood barriers for doorways.
• Store drinking water — floods often contaminate supply.
• Consider flood insurance; standard policies often exclude flood damage.

During the event

• Move immediately to higher ground when warnings are issued or water rises — do not wait.
• Never walk through moving water; use a stick to check ground firmness in standing water.
• Never drive into flooded roads — depth and road collapse are invisible. Abandon a stalling car and move to high ground.
• Keep children and pets out of floodwater — it carries sewage, chemicals and debris.
• Avoid bridges over fast-moving water; they can fail suddenly.
• If trapped in a building, go to the highest level — not a closed attic where rising water can trap you; onto the roof only if necessary, and signal for help.
• Switch off electricity at the mains if safe and water is entering the building.

After the event

• Return only when authorities say it is safe; floodwater can rise again.
• Assume all floodwater and touched surfaces are contaminated — wash hands, disinfect, discard soaked food.
• Watch for snakes and animals sheltering in debris.
• Have electrical and gas systems checked before restoring power.
• Photograph damage for insurance before cleaning up.
• Dry the building fast to limit dangerous mould; wear gloves and masks during cleanup.
• Boil or treat drinking water until officials confirm safety.

Emergency kit checklist

• Water (4 L/person/day, 3 days) and water-purification tablets
• Non-perishable food, torch, radio, power banks
• First-aid kit, medications, rubber boots and gloves
• Waterproof bags for documents and phones
• Life jackets where major riverine/coastal risk exists

Evacuation guidance

• Leave early — evacuation routes flood first.
• Follow official routes; shortcuts may be underwater.
• Take pets, medications and documents; shut off utilities if instructed.
• Never cross flowing water on foot or by car en route.

What NOT to do

• Do NOT drive around barricades — they mark flooded or collapsed roads.
• Do NOT touch electrical equipment while wet or standing in water.
• Do NOT let children play in or near floodwater.
• Do NOT use petrol generators or BBQs indoors after power loss (carbon-monoxide poisoning).
• Do NOT eat food touched by floodwater.

Children, older people and people with disabilities

• Pre-arrange transport for people with limited mobility; do not rely on last-minute rescue.
• Children: teach them never to enter floodwater and where the family meets if separated.
• People dependent on powered medical equipment: register with your utility and plan battery backup.

Pet safety

• Bring pets indoors when flood warnings are issued; evacuate them with you.
• Include pet food/water in the kit; carriers for small animals.
• Move livestock to high ground early.

Frequently asked questions

How deep does water need to be to be dangerous?

Just 15 cm of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and about 30–60 cm can float most vehicles including SUVs. Depth is also deceptive — the road beneath may be washed out.

What is the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning?

A watch means flooding is possible — be prepared. A warning means flooding is happening or imminent — act immediately, moving to higher ground if you are in a flood-prone area.