Look out for each other
Children and infants
Children can play a very important role in helping families, schools and friends be aware of, prepared for and respond better to floods.
One of the ways children can do this is by being a FloodSafe Kid.
Paddy Platypus is a huge fan of FloodSafe Kids and knows that he can rely on them to help the NSW SES make sure all kids are safe during floods.
Being a FloodSafe Kid means pledging to look out for yourself, your family and your friends before, during and after floods. This includes:
- Helping my family, friends and neighbours plan for flooding
- Helping put together an emergency kit for my home and school and updating the batteries every year
- Following all instructions given to me by my parents, the NSW SES and other emergency services during a flood
- Never playing in floodwater
- Helping my friends become FloodSafe Kids too
FloodSafe Kids play in a safe place
During and after floods we often see images on the news and in newspapers of children playing in floodwater. This is very dangerous and some children have lost their lives by playing in floodwater.
Floodwater can be deeper and flow faster than it looks on the surface. It can also cover drains and eroded surfaces that you cannot see. Sometimes water can suddenly move through hidden drains and pipes. There can also be snags and other things in floodwater which can trap you underwater. Floodwater can also contain waste, poisons, dead animals, garbage and sewage. It is not a nice place to play.
Swimming, riding boogie boards, riding through and jumping into floodwater can be very dangerous.
This is why a FloodSafe Kid would NEVER play in floodwater and would also look out for their friends to make sure they were safe as well.
Watch the Li'l Larrikins safety message on playing in floodwater
FloodSafe Kids look after their mates
Being a FloodSafe Kid means you are looking out for your friends as well and helping them become FloodSafe Kids with you. The most important thing here is making sure your friends are safe during floods by telling them the dangers of playing in floodwater.
FloodSafe Kids have an emergency kit together
Being a FloodSafe Kid is also about helping your family and class at school put together an emergency kit. An emergency kit is useful if you need to leave your house or classroom because of flooding. Putting together an emergency kit with your family and class mates can be a great way to make sure you are ready for any emergency.
Find out what goes into an emergency kit
- Keep your emergency kit in a waterproof storage container
- Check your emergency kit on a regular basis (remember to check use-by dates on batteries and gloves) and restock items if you need to
- Also, keep a list of emergency numbers near your phone or on your fridge.
Pets and animals
Pets and animals are an important part of the family and household.
It is important to consider your pets when planning for floods including:
- Pet safety during floods
- What you will do with pets if you are required to evacuate
- Moving pets appropriately
- Evacuation Centres and requirements for pets and animals
Include in your Home Emergency Plan what you will do with your pets before, during and after floods.
Your pets are reliant on you during floods. Never leave pets behind if you evacuate and transport your pets appropriately (carry cages, muzzles and other safety equipment). If you are going to an evacuation centre, make sure they cater for pets or find somewhere to go outside of the flood area which does (family or friends).
Here is a general checklist of what might be necessary to prepare your pet for floods:
Check | Item |
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ID tags are up-to-date and securely attached to collars or carriers |
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Pet carriers are secure |
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Have a leash, collar and harness for each pet where necessary |
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Muzzle your dog |
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Have a current picture of your pet and a picture of you with your pet |
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Relevant veterinary records and medications are current |
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Have emergency vet contact information |
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Several days worth of food and water for each pet including dishes, spoon and can opener |
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Written feeding and medication instructions including what not to feed your pet |
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Clean-up supplies including litter, bags, paper towels, wipes, sanitisers and garbage bags |
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Pet toys, beds, blankets, towels and treats |
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A pet first aid kit |
Agisted Animals
It is also important to remember any animals you may own but which are kept on other properties. Horses are usually kept like this. These kinds of animals are called agisted animals.
many properties where agisted animals are kept can be in high flood risk areas such as close to creeks, rivers and other water ways. If there is the likelihood of flooding, it is important to make sure your agisted animals are safe.
Talk to the property owner about the local risks and about their plans for when it may flood. Add these plans to your own Home Emergency Plan.
Monitor the weather and river conditions near where your animals are agisted and put your Emergency Plan into action if there is the likelihood of flooding where you keep your agisted animals.
Farm Animals
Many farm animals are at risk during floods. It is important to plan what you will do with livestock if there is a risk of flooding.
What you can do now:
- Check whether local arrangements cater for relocation of livestock and plan where you will relocate your stock to, well before flooding begins. Working with neighbour farms can help you prepare this
- Fit gates on internal fences to avoid moving stock along public roads
- Mark gates and water locations on a map of your property. Have this map available in case someone has to move stock for you
What you can do before it floods:
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Coordinate relocation of domestic animals and livestock with neighbours, friends or livestock associations as early as possible
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If an emergency warning is current, or on days of high risk, consider moving stock into a safe area before leaving your property for any length of time
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move animals to high ground with adequate natural feed. Additional feed may be required for stock stranded for extended periods
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In extreme circumstances, the best option may be to cut fences so that stock can escape danger (and be collected later).
Wildlife
Australian wildlife can be susceptible to floods.
There are organisations which can take care of Australian wildlife affected by floods.
Seniors
People living in our communities who are senior have a wealth of knowledge, information and networks at their disposal when it comes to planning for, responding to and recovering from floods.
Talk to the people who have lived in your area for a long time about the history and impacts of flooding locally. You can gain valuable information from people who have experienced these events in the past.
Sometimes though, the elderly need assistance as well.
All the information on preparing for, responding to and recovering from floods are relevant to elderly people. The only difference is sometimes they may need some further assistance from family, friends and carers in these areas.
The NSW SES in collaboration with the Tweed Shire Council and services in the Tweed region, have developed the Tweed Shire Aged and People Living with a Disability FloodSafe Guide. The guide has general information which is useful to all people who are elderly or living with a disability in any location and contains advice including:
- identify your own capabilities and any assistance or support you may require in your Emergency Plan
- remember specific medications or mobility equipment in your planning
- include the contact numbers of any important services, equipment providers or support people, family, friends or neighbours in your FloodSafe Plan
Putting together an emergency kit and developing a Home Emergency Plan are also great preparation activities you can do to prepare better for floods.
Your Home Emergency Plan contents:
- the Tweed Shire Aged and People Living with a Disability FloodSafe Guide
- a list of your support persons and their contact details
- contact numbers for your care provider and doctor
- instructions on how to turn off your electricity and gas
- a list of what is in your emergency kit and where it is located
- a list of flood free locations of friends, relatives and neighbours that you can go to
- your evacuation plans and information on evacuation routes
- a list of items that need to be raised above floodwater
- a list of dangerous or hazardous items around your house
- instructions on how care will be provided to your pets
- information on where to find the latest weather forecast, Flood Watches, Flood Warnings (other warning products) and SES Flood Bulletins
- a description of any medical issues or disability
- a list of any essential medications or equipment and instructions for their use
- the location of disability related supplies and any special equipment you require
Wheel chair users
Many people across NSW are affected by dangerous floods and there have been avoidable deaths due to flooding. The protection of life is the highest priority for the NSW SES when we make decisions about planning for floods.
People with impaired mobility can be more susceptible to the impacts of floods. It is important to care for and assist all people to be prepared for, respond to and recover from floods.
Identifying a support person or carer who can assist with planning for and response to floods can greatly increase the resilience of people with impaired mobility to recover faster from flood events.
If you care for a person with limited mobility, they may need assistance in planning for floods as well as putting that plan into action in times of flood.
Some ways of assisting mobility impaired people with flood planning may include:
- Think about any mobility support equipment in planning and responding to flood events
- Utilise a care or support person to develop a FloodSafe Plan that suits your situation
- Set up a network of support with family, friends, co-workers, neighbours, carers, etc. who can assist you during an emergency. It is important that your network takes part in your planning and be familiar with your functional abilities and limitations.
- If you use an Occupational Therapist or are on an Attendant Care Package ask your provider for assistance and information on the emergency plan as this is a requirement for funding.
- Talk to local council and emergency services about what support can be provided to you in case of an emergency.
- Speak to the fire wardens in your work place and ask about the emergency plan for wheelchair evacuations. Ensure there is a workable plan in place for your requirements if there isn’t, speak to your human resources and the building manager to request a workable plan.
- Be ready to go early - pack and store all emergency kit items (including medications, medical supplies and/or assistive devices) in an easy-to-access and easy-to- transport bag should you need to evacuate. Ensure you inform your network of where you keep your emergency kit.
- Prepare a list of any food or drug allergies you might have and all the medications you are taking.
- Provide written instructions for your network on how best to assist you and your assistance dog (if applicable) during an emergency.
- Since your medications, assistive devices, etc. may change over time, it is advisable for you to regularly assess your needs and incorporate any changes to your emergency survival kit supplies and your emergency plan.
- If you rely on any life sustaining equipment, develop an emergency back-up plan that will ensure the equipment works in the event of a power outage.
- Label your special needs equipment and attach a laminated instruction cards on how to use, retrieve and/or move each assistive device during an emergency. This information should be updated as your equipment or needs change.
- If during an emergency your support network cannot assist you for whatever reason, ask other individuals around you to help you. Remember to inform them of your special needs and how they can best offer assistance.
- There may be instances where you may need to leave your wheelchair behind in order to evacuate safely. Familiarize yourself with lifting and carrying techniques that will work for you. Alert rescue personnel to any areas of vulnerability you may have. For example, the traditional 'fire fighter's carry' may be hazardous for people with respiratory weakness. You need to be able to communicate brief instructions regarding how to move you. Providing diagrams on safe lifts may help in communicating instructions on how to move you in circumstances where you have to leave your wheelchair.
- Practice your emergency plan with your network at least twice a year. It is important that you practice your plan both during the day and at night, when the conditions can vary.
- Keep access ways free of furniture or household items so not obstruct a quick exit.
- Keep all information updated and current. Any changes to your emergency plans should be relayed to your support network.
For wheel chairs, consider
- A patch kit and pump to repair flat tyres – extra supply of inner tubes
- Heavy gloves to use while wheeling or making your way over glass or debris
If motorised wheel chair, consider:
- An extra charged battery or car battery
[The advice above was developed in partnership with ParaQuad NSW]
FloodSafe information on what to do before, during and after a flood is relevant for people with impaired mobility. A support person can run through the advice and tips for these areas with the person and assist in preparing, responding and recovering from floods.
Deaf and hearing impaired
People who have low or no hearing may be more susceptible to the impacts of floods. It is important to care for and assist all people to be prepared for, respond to and recover from floods.
Identifying a support person or carer who can assist with planning for and response to floods can help increase the resilience of people with low or no hearing.
If you care for a person who has low or no hearing, they may need assistance in planning for floods as well as putting that plan into action in times of flood.
Consider:
- Setting up a support tree to contact people with low or no hearing (by visiting them) when a Flood Watch or Flood Warning has been issued, is a good way to make sure they get current information.
- Utilise a care or support person to develop a FloodSafe Plan that suits your situation
FloodSafe information on what to do before, during and after a flood is relevant for people with low or no hearing. A support person can run through the advice and tips for these areas with the person and assist in preparing, responding and recovering from floods.
The Deaf Community, NSW SES and the National Relay Service
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment:
- Contact us through the National Relay Service
- Give the NSW State Emergency Service number you want to call.
For more information, visit: http://www.relayservice.gov.au
The NSW SES has developed AUSLAN translation video
Blind or low vision
Many people across NSW are affected by dangerous floods and there have been avoidable deaths due to flooding. The protection of life is the highest priority for the NSW SES when we make decisions about planning for floods.
People who have low or no vision may be more susceptible to the impacts of floods. It is important to care for and assist all people to be prepared for, respond to and recover from floods.
If you care for a person who has low or no vision, they may need assistance in planning for floods as well as putting that plan into action in times of flood.
For people living with low or no vision, identifying a support person or carer who can assist with planning for and responding to floods can greatly increase your resilience and recovery from flood events.
Consider:
- Setting up a support tree to contact people with limited or no hearing (by visiting them) when a Flood Watch or Flood Warning has been issued, is a good way to make sure they get current information.
- Utilise a care or support person to develop a FloodSafe Plan that suits your situation
Businesses
Many businesses in NSW are in flood risk locations. Floods can cause major damage and disruption to businesses and there are specific impacts that business owners need to be aware of including:
- Employer and employee Workplace Health and Safety
- Loss of records
- Loss of stock
- Loss of reputation
Preparing for floods can significantly reduce these impacts, prevent loss of life and reduce damage to structures, stock and equipment.
- At least 275 Australians have died in floods from work related causes (Macquarie University)
- Damage could have been reduced by an estimated 80% if business had developed flood action plans (Kempsey 2001 floods)
- "I wished we'd planned for the flood - it took us months to recover" (Hawkesbury business manager)
- "We wouldn't survive without a plan" (Lismore business owner)
Part of any business plan is business continuity and planning for potential floods is a part of this. The NSW SES has developed a Business FloodSafe Toolkit which can assist businesses develop their own custom FloodSafe Plan.
Online Business FloodSafe Toolkit
A free Online Business FloodSafe Toolkit has been developed by the NSW SES. this toolkit is an interactive and predominantly editable toolkit which allows businesses to plan for floods for their particular flood risk and business situation.
The toolkit identifies impacts, triggers and actions to take as well as identifies who, what, where and when these actions take place across the following four areas:
- Now and Always (when it is not flooding)
- Before a Flood (when there is a chance of flooding)
- During a Flood
- After a Flood
Background information
The Online Business FloodSafe Toolkit was developed by the NSW State Emergency Service through Natural Disasters Mitigation Program funding, which is a national program aimed at identifying and addressing natural disaster risk priorities across the nation. This funding incorporates equal contributions from the NSW State Emergency Service, the NSW Government and the Federal Government.
The SES would like to acknowledge the businesses from Lismore and Wagga Wagga who provided input into the development of this online toolkit.
Social Change Online worked with the SES to develop the process, framework and system for this toolkit.
Hard Copy Business FloodSafe Toolkits
Hard copy flash flood and riverine flood versions of the Business FloodSafe Toolkit are also available to download:
- hard copy Flash Flood Business FloodSafe Booklet
- hard copy Riverine Business FloodSafe Booklet
Business FloodSafe Posters
Posters for businesses which outline actions to do now, before, during and after a flood are also available for download:
Business Breakfasts
The NSW SES hold Business breakfasts in many locations to present the Online Business FloodSafe Toolkit and to talk about the local flood risks and capability of the local SES unit.
Business breakfasts are held usually in collaboration with the local Business Chamber and provide a free breakfast for attending business managers and owners.
Hard copy toolkits are door knocked prior to the breakfast where local NSW SES members meet the local businesses. A follow-up door knock is usually held after the business to provide feedback.
Planned Business Breakfasts will be announced in the events section on this website or if you would like to have a presentation delivered in your area, contact the SES on 1800 201 000.
Important points when Developing your Business FloodSafe Plan
- essential services such as telephone and electricity could be lost long before flooding occurs
- most businesses are unattended outside business hours. A flood may occur during this time
- no two floods are the same. The rate of water rise varies between floods
- maintain your plan and practice it regularly
- keep your plan up to date
- review your plan after every flood or on an annual basis