How to prepare for a flood

Australians are no strangers to flooding. The floods that hit NSW and Queensland in 2022 were the most expensive natural disaster in Australian history, costing $5.65 billion and leaving a devastating emotional toll.

It isn’t always possible to avoid damage from flooding, but by being prepared, you have a better chance of minimising damage and keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

Know your floods

Types of floods

A flood will look different depending on whether you live in the city, by a river, or on the coast. Understanding the type of flood risk in your area can help you prepare better for an emergency.

If your area is prone to riverine flooding, the Bureau Of Meteorology (BOM) does its best to warn you ahead of time if a flood is coming.

Flash floods, on the other hand, are much harder to predict. You might not be warned before they happen.

Learn the warning signs

Australia is an enormous country, and flooding happens at different times in different states. If you live in the north of Australia, the wet season usually runs from November to April. If you live in the south, the wettest part of the year tends to be September to December.

Determining your flood risk will help you better prepare for flood season. You should find out:

• what happens in your local area when there’s flooding,
• the warning systems in place,
• what height a flood has to reach to affect your home, and
• the natural signs of flooding.

Every flood is different, so you can’t always rely on what happened during previous floods. Keep an eye on weather updates and listen to the advice of your local SES:

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory

Before a flood

Look over your insurance policies

Unfortunately, underinsurance is common in Australia.

The lead up to flood season is a great time to review your insurance policies, making sure you’re covered for emergencies. The cost of repairs and rebuilds changes year-on-year, so you might need to adjust the amount you’re covered for (known as your sum insured).

While you’re looking over your policy, you may want to take photos of your home and vehicle/s inside and out. You might need them later if you have to lodge a claim.

Make an evacuation plan

An evacuation plan can help your household get to safety as quickly as possible in a disaster. If you get separated from your loved ones, it can also help you stay connected. Every household’s plan will look different. Cover the basics by writing down:

• A safe meeting point on higher ground
• Directions to your meeting point (as well as alternative routes in case the main one floods or blocks)
• Emergency kit locations
• Emergency contacts and contact numbers

Ready your emergency kits

An emergency kit should have all the essentials you’ll need if you lose power to your home, get stuck, or need to leave in a hurry. It might include:

• First aid supplies
• Water
• Non-perishable food
• A torch, radio, phone charger, spare batteries and/or power pack
• Cash
• Important documents – like passports
• Essential medication and scripts
• Spare clothes, toiletries and sanitary supplies
• Blankets and bedding

One of the best ways to store an emergency kit is in a waterproof container. Remember to check and refresh them once or twice a year. If any food, medication or batteries have passed their use-by date, replace them.

A bit of admin throughout the year can make things a lot easier during a disaster.

Plan for your pets

Just like us, pets need to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit. Before a flood hits:

• Consider how to safely evacuate with your pets to a safe location.
• Make sure their tags and microchips show the correct contact information.
• Include pet food, extra water and, if necessary, medication in your emergency kit.

It’s best to talk to your vet about any special needs your pet might have.

Prepare your home

A good flood protection strategy starts months before the warnings reach you. There’s plenty you can do throughout the year to ready your home for flood season, such as:

• grading your yard so that water drains away from your home,
• repairing any paving, roofing, decks or driveways that show signs of wear and tear,
• landscaping with species – like native grasses - that minimise soil erosion, and
• making sure nearby storm drains are clear of debris.

Get the sandbags ready

Most homes can be protected by less than 25 sandbags. Even placing a few over drains and toilet bowls can help stop the sewage backflow.

Your local SES may set up a collection point for sandbags during an emergency, but supplies are limited and prioritised to the most at-risk households. You can prepare your home in advance by picking up sand and bags at your local hardware store or garden centre.

Need advice on how to store and use them? Your state’s SES website will be able to help.

When a flood is imminent

In an emergency, you and your loved ones’ safety is the number one priority, so be sure to follow the advice from emergency services.

Move any vehicles staying behind to higher ground, and put electrical items, furniture and valuables as high as you can.

Know where and how to turn off your home’s gas, electricity and water mains. If it’s safe to get to your mains, turn them off.

Leaving your home? Remember to bring your emergency kit and inform your friends, family and neighbours of your movements.

Remember - flood water is dangerous

Did you know it only takes 15cm of slow-moving water to lose control of your car? You should never drive, swim, or walk through flood waters. Avoid fallen power lines, too – electricity works fast in water.

After a flood

As soon as you’re safe, consider telling your family and friends where you are. If you can’t get in touch with them, you may want to use the Australian Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite register. It’s a well-established service that helps people reconnect in emergencies.

You should only:

• return to your home or property
• turn on your gas and electricity, and
• use tap water that hasn’t been boiled first

when authorities and professionals tell you when it’s safe to do so.

When it's safe to return to your home or to any abandoned vehicles, take a look over your property for flood damage. Take lots of photos - you'll need them if you lodge a claim.

If your property is impacted by a flood and you’re a Suncorp Insurance customer, lodge a claim as soon as possible using our 24/7 online claims service or via My Suncorp. Don’t worry if you don’t have all your paperwork or evidence ready – you can always add it later.

Download the flood preparation checklist

Read more:

• Supporting customers through severe weather recovery
• Flood clean-up: The flood recovery guide
• The impacts of water damage at home

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Information provided is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account any person's particular objectives, financial situation or needs. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision regarding this product. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. The Target Market Determination is also available.