For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call NSW SES on 132 500   In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
NSW SES
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What you can do now to prepare

In Australia, storms can be rapid, unpredictable and destructive. When there is heavy rainfall, water can back up and rise quickly, causing wide, deep and dangerous floods.

Whether you live in your own home or you're a tenant, it's important to prepare your property before every storm season. By preparing now, you can help minimise potential damage caused by severe storms.

Complete as many of these tasks as possible to protect your home and surrounding properties.

In your home

It’s important to prepare your home or business to keep people and property safe. By preparing for emergencies, you can reduce the impacts and recover better.

Stay safe when using a ladder by following the SafeWork NSW Pocket guide to ladder safety.(link is external)

Review your Emergency Plan. Your emergency plan should consider what you and your family will do if extreme weather strikes and include information about where you will go, how you will get there, what evacuation routes you can use, what you will do with your animals, and how you will manage any health needs.

Prepare or inspect your Emergency Kit. Test batteries and check use-by dates on items like first-aid supplies. This Kit should include your medications, prescriptions and any assistance equipment you may require.

Make sure your home and contents insurance policies are adequate and up to date. Check that your policies provide cover for the types of events specific to your location.

Keep your devices and additional power sources charged and ready. Make sure your phone is fully charged and on hand so you can contact help in an emergency. Remember to use it sparingly during a storm an in case of a prolonged blackout.

Ensure the structural stability of your property before entering after a flood or storm. Check for damage to windows, walls and the roof and be especially cautious of potential contaminants including asbestos.

Gas appliances and gas bottles that have been exposed to floodwater should be inspected for safety before use.

Get prepared with these apps

Download these four apps for weather warnings, hazard notifications, road impacts and help from emergency services.

Hazards Near Me NSW(link is external)

Set your watch zones and receive current information about local emergencies, including floods, bushfires and severe weather, and advice on what to do to stay safe.

BOM Weather(link is external)

Access hourly and 7-day forecasts, radar and warnings directly from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Live Traffic NSW(link is external)

Plan ahead with real-time information about hazards that may affect your travel on NSW roads.

Emergency Plus(link is external)

Use your mobile device’s GPS functionality and what3words to accurately communicate your location and provide critical details to emergency call-takers.

Related information

For all life-threatening emergencies call 000.

For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis call NSW SES on 132 500

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Hearing /speech impaired

SMS NRS 0423 677 767

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Homeless

If you are homeless call Link2Home on 1800 152 152.

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Internet Relay

Make a National Relay Service chat call(link is external).

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Translation services

If an interpreter is required, emergency services can access translation services(link is external).