Preparing to Evacuate
Family
Has the rest of my family got time to come home? How will they know where I am?
This very much depends on a number of factors like time of day, the location of your friends or relatives and whether you have responded quickly enough to the initial warning to evacuate. There will be advice on the media at the time. Provisions have been made for all people who evacuate to be registered and your family and friends will be able to make inquiries by ringing a number that will be advertised.
It's important that all family members understand the need to abide by traffic restrictions in place during a flood. Driving through flood waters is the leading cause of death during floods.
School
How can I meet with my child at school?
If there is sufficient warning time, schools will be closed at the end of a school day. If not, school children will be evacuated as a group.
What happens to my children at school?
If you are told to evacuate while your children are at school, you can be assured that they will be evacuated safely.
What happens to my children at preschool?
If you are told to evacuate while your children are at preschool, you can be assured that they will be evacuated safely.
Food
What food should I take with me?
Only take immediate baby or infant supplies and medications, and enough bottled water to last until you reach the evacuation centre. If you have special dietary needs, you should take food that meets your needs with you; plan on taking enough for several days.
Can I drink the water?
No. You cannot drink flood water. If there is any doubt about tap water, boil it, drink bottled water, or take the precautions that health authorities will tell you.
Property
What do I have to take with me?
Take your important papers, photographs, mementoes, and any essential medication.
How much will I pack?
This will depend on whether you are evacuating using your own transport, in which case as much as you can safely put into your car without overloading it. If you are travelling on public transport, take only what you can carry yourself and place on your lap.
How do I pack?
Pack everything you can into waterproof plastic bags and then place them inside a bag that you will be comfortable carrying, such as a day pack or shopping bag.
What can I use to carry it?
After placing everything into waterproof plastic bags a small suitcase, day pack, or shopping bag may be useful.
What help can I get to do this?
You shouldn't need a lot of help to pack small papers and other items that can be carried. However, if you are physically unable to do your own packing, friends or neighbors may be able to assist you.
What should I do with my fridge and freezer?
Open the doors and turn the fridge and freezer off. This will prevent them from floating through your house and causing damage.
Should I turn off the electricity, gas, water?
Yes. Please turn them off at the main shut-off point in your house.
How can I protect my furniture?
By stacking your furniture on top of a table or chairs, you may be able to minimise some water damage. If you have a second storey, moving some furniture onto the second storey may help protect it.
How can I protect my electrical goods?
Turn the power off and stack the goods as high as possible.
How can I protect my personal items?
Photographs, papers and important memorabilia can go with you. Anything else could be packed in a water-tight container (with your name and address on a piece of paper inside it) and stacked as high as possible.
What should I do with my fuel?
Standard domestic fuel supplies such as lawn-mower and jerry-can containers should be tied together and anchored as best as possible to prevent them from floating away and causing problems. You should always limit the amount of fuel you have on your property.
What should I do with my chemicals?
You should limit the amount of chemicals that you keep. If you need to get rid of chemicals, contact EPA or your local council. If the flood is very near, stack them as high as possible in waterproof containers.
Can someone give me sandbags so I can save my house?
It is unlikely that sandbags will be effective in a major flood. At lower levels of flooding sandbags will be provided by the SES or your local council.
Will someone be there to stop looters?
Yes. Security arrangements will be in place.
Livestock and pets
See the section on pets and evacuation