A practical checklist on how to prepare for a flood

Floods don’t impact all areas in the same way, so understanding your flood risk is crucial. To determine your flood risk, you could start by reaching out to your local council office. They can provide you with valuable data on past flooding events and future risk in your area. There are various online sources, too, which you could access to check your flood risk. For example, the Australian Flood Risk Information Portal offers high-quality flood risk information.

Understanding your flood risk is essential for effective planning. It could help you stay ahead of the situation and enhance your ability to protect your family, pets, and belongings in the event of a flood. Moreover, your level of flood risk also affects your home insurance.

While home insurance policies may include flood coverage, some insurers may be hesitant to offer you flood cover if you live close to a flood zone. Alternatively, they may charge you a higher premium, or impose a flood excess (an additional sum you need to pay when you make a claim) on your policy. Make sure you speak to different insurers to find a cover that’s affordable and provides the level of protection you need.

Staying informed about the weather conditions in your area could give you time to prepare and take necessary precautions. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) offers weather forecasts and warnings for various regions in Australia. You can stay updated on weather conditions in your area by visiting the BoM website at www.bom.gov.au. You could also download the BOM weather app for regular weather notifications and alerts.

If you stay in a flood prone area, having a well-thought-out flood plan in place for your household could make a significant difference to the safety of your family, pets, and property. When preparing a flood plan, try to get all the family members together to ensure everybody understands their role. The location of all essentials and emergency items should also be marked.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA, shares an extensive list of concerns a comprehensive flood plan must address. These include:

• Establishing a clear criteria regarding when you’ll leave the house due to flooding, such as when the water reaches a certain level, or when official evacuation orders are issued. In case, it is not possible to leave the house, identify the safe areas in your house where you can take shelter.
• Identifying a safe place where you’ll go in case of an emergency and how you will travel there. Further, what will be the action plan if all members of the household are not together when emergency strikes – such as when they are at work or school.
• Designating a responsible person in the household who knows how to turn off gas, electricity and water supplies in case of flooding and evacuation.
• Deciding on a common place where you’ll keep your valuables and other belongings safely, if you cannot carry them with you.
• Including your pets in your flood plan could enhance their safety. Determine where your pets will stay during a flood, as evacuation centres typically only allow guide and assistance dogs. If you think your pets can’t accompany you during a flood emergency, try to relocate them to a safer place in advance. It’s also advisable to keep your pets’ registration details and collar tags up-to-date.

Having an emergency survival kit could be handy during emergencies. It enables you to respond swiftly and ensures immediate access to vital supplies should you ever find yourself stranded or in a crisis situation. The NSW State Emergency Website provides a list of items you may consider including in your emergency survival kit.

• A portable radio with spare batteries
• A torch with spare batteries
• First aid kit, with any essential supplies for your family and pets
• Candles and waterproof matches
• Important papers including emergency contact numbers. Remember to keep them in a waterproof bag.
• Copy of any home emergency plans
• Waterproof bag for valuables

Your emergency survival kit may also include bottled water, non-perishable food and protective clothing to take care of yourself and your family until help arrives.

Remember to keep your emergency kit at a fixed location in the house so it is easily accessible by all. It’s advisable to check your emergency kit from time to time and restock the items that are past their use-by dates.

Although you can’t control the weather conditions, there are proactive measures you can take to safeguard your property and possessions from potential flood damage.

Secure your doors and windows

Check all your windows and doors to make sure they close properly and that there are no gaps for the water to seep into the house during heavy rainfall. Further, check the other areas in your house for any cracks or gaps that could let the water in.

Maintain your gutters

Examine your gutters and downpipes, and clean them out regularly, to prevent water from flowing into your roof space. Consider removing any fallen leaves, twigs and debris from around your property as these can potentially block your drains and cause water pooling.

Check on your sump pump

If you have a sump pump in your basement, check whether it is in good working order. If your basement is at the risk of flooding, you may also consider purchasing a battery-operated sump pump that can replace the primary one in case of no power.

Consider sandbagging to reduce water damage

Sandbagging your property is another measure you could take to potentially reduce the impact of flood damage to your house. Sandbags can typically be purchased from hardware stores. If using sandbags, remember to fill them with only sand (not soil) and leave about one-third of the bag empty.

You can use sandbags to cover drainage holes in your house to prevent backflow of water. They can also be placed outside the doors where water may enter your home. You could also place plastic sheets under sandbags to reduce seepage.

If you live in a flood prone area, it could be worth checking your home insurance cover and whether it protects your property and belongings against flood damage. Many home insurance policies typically provide coverage against flood and water damage. However, if you stay in a flood prone area, an insurer might be unwilling to provide flood protection. Alternatively, they may charge you a higher premium for flood protection.

Remember to review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to understand the exact nature and level of coverage offered by your home insurance.

The level of flood coverage on your home and contents insurance policy depends on your insurer and the policy you purchase. So make sure to compare your options to buy a policy that provides you with the coverage you need.