Floods
LINKS TO DISASTER DASHBOARDS FOR COFFS & CLARENCE COUNCILS AS WELL AS ALL THE APPS AVAILABLE FOR YOU IN A DISASTER OR EMERGENCY SITUATION
In an Emergency call 000
If you are deaf or have a speech or hearing impairment call 106
For Flood call SES on 132 500
For Loss of power call 132 080
Electricity problems or fallen powerlines contact essential energy on 132 080
The BOM App
Staying informed about the weather made easy.
Live Traffic App
Know where the hazard reduction burns are.
Emergency+ App
Provide critical location details required by emergency services.
Hazards Near Me App
Emergency warnings and advice for fires and floods in NSW.
How is our community affected by floods?
In our region, which experiences high levels of rainfall, we are accustomed to enduring heavy rains that cause road crossings to become submerged, forcing us to remain home until the waters recede. Flooding is a frequent occurrence in our area. However, in late February 2022, we were reminded that flooding can pose a serious threat to life. We strongly urge everyone to visit this website, and we especially recommend that new residents take the time to familiarise themselves with the information provided here.
PREPARE FOR FLOODS
Before the flood
By now you will have downloaded the apps you need to stay informed.
If Your Property Is Prone To Flooding
- Have a plan.
- Store all chemicals and poisons above ground level in case of flash flooding.
- Identify which indoor items you will need to raise if flooding threatens your home (e.g. freezers, fridges, washing machines).
- Identify the most important farm equipment to move to higher ground.
- Get out with a mattock and make sure your drains are clear – to save your road or driveway.
- By taking simple actions to improve your home’s flood resilience of your home, you can avoid some heartache when the next big flood comes.
- Contact Your Neighbours. Check out the excellent SES advice on the importance of neighbour networks.
What About Your Animals
Make up an animal Evacuation Kit
Things to consider: feed, water, medications, rope/halters/leads etc, proof of ownership & vet records. Review your kit to ensure contents, especially feed and medicines, are fresh.
- Make sure animals have some form of identification (microchip, ear/leg tag, leg band, etc.).
- Determine where you will go if you have to leave (Identify friends or relatives who could house livestock during the disaster.
- Know how you will evacuate (Decide how livestock will be transported/housed and prearrange an evacuation site).
- In case you are not home: arrange with a neighbour or friends to tend to your livestock (This person should be familiar with your livestock, know your evacuation procedures, know where your evacuation kit is kept, and have your emergency contact information).
Have a plan for where to take your animals during a flood
Often this will be on high ground at your neighbour’s place. It’s best to have an arrangement with them in case a flood develops when you are not at home. These people need to know your evacuation procedures, where your evacuation kit is kept, and have your emergency contact information.
Useful Links for animals / livestock information
Coffs Council Flood Map
Use this map to identify if where you are located is flood prone. Obviously flash flooding and heavy run off can occur not just where the main creeks are.
DURING A FLOOD
Stay Safe During A Flood
The way to stay safe is to stay out of floodwater. People get into trouble at causeways because they assume the road surface is intact underneath the water – but it could be eroded. Once water hits the body of the car, it will start to drift – this is how people lose control.
Know The SES Warning System
The new SES warning system has 3 levels. Check it out here.
Advice (yellow) – an incident has started. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
Watch and Act (orange) – you need to start taking action now to prepare.
Emergency Warning (red) – you may be in danger and need to take action immediately.
If You Need To Evacuate
- Charge your phones and communication devices.
- Pack warm clothing, essential medication, valuables, personal papers, photos and mementos in waterproof bags, to be taken with your emergency kit.
- Raise furniture, clothing and valuables (electrical items highest).
- Turn off electricity, water and gas / take your mobile phone, CB radio and chargers.
- Put sandbags in the toilet bowl and over laundry/bathroom drain-holes to prevent sewage back-flow.
- Remember your pets.
- Lock your home and take the safest evacuation route, which may be up your neighbour’s driveway.
- Never drive into water of unknown depth and current.
- Tell your family or neighbours and keep them informed as to where you are.
If You Remain In Your Home – Or When You Return
- Keep your emergency kit safe and dry.
- Do not eat food that has been in contact with floodwater and boil all water until supplies have been declared safe.
- Don’t use gas or electrical appliances that have been flood affected until they have been safety checked. Do not handle wet electrical equipment.
- Beware of snakes and spiders that may move to drier areas in your house.
- Avoid wading, even in shallow water as it may be contaminated.
- Be aware floodwater may be contaminated – wear solid shoes or boots for protection.
- Use betadine (or other antiseptic) on broken skin.
- Keep listening to your local radio and follow warnings and advice.
- Make sure family & friends know you are safe. In major disasters, be aware of the Red Cross Register-Find-Reunite service.
RECOVERY FROM FLOODS
Stay Safe in Floodwater
- Floodwater and leftover debris may be contaminated with sewage.
- To prevent illness, minimise contact with floodwater and wear protective clothing, including boots, gloves and eye protection.
- Avoid swimming in rivers, lagoons and estuaries for at least three days after heavy rain. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up while outside with loose, light-coloured clothing and covered footwear, avoiding being outdoors at dawn and dusk and applying insect repellent on exposed skin that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Disposing of Animal Carcasses
The destruction of floods can be distressing. Please seek mental wellbeing support, particularly if you are dealing with trauma. If you intend to dispose of animal carcasses yourself, it’s important to note that:
- Onsite burial is the preferred option in most instances. Where there are large mortalities or where onsite issues, including size, soil type, water table, are problematic, disposal through a licensed landfill is usually the next option.
- Improper carcass disposal can have significant impacts on environmental, human and animal health. Careful planning and management of disposal is important to ensure the safety of the community, other stock, the environment and to minimise the risk of disease spread.
- Poor carcass disposal can result in contamination of soil, ground water and water ways.
- Access to poorly disposed carcasses can also allow for significant disease spread through scavengers, mosquitoes and vermin.
- Carcass disposal should occur as soon as possible after the animal has died.
- Animal owners and managers have a legal responsibility to ensure that disposal of carcasses does not adversely affect the environment.
- Visit the Department of Primary Industries website for more information.
Risks to Avoid During Cleanup
Follow these guidelines to avoid unnecessary risks during clean-up.
- Do not enter a damaged building or structure, unless deemed safe to do so by authorities.
- Take great care around electricity.
- Contact your insurance company directly and take plenty of photos of any property and contents damage before removing and disposing of items. Click to read the Insurance and Legal Support guide.
- If your house was built before 1987, it is likely to contain asbestos. Find out what asbestos looks like and where it could be. Keep asbestos waste separated from other waste you are removing, and do not put it in red bins or skip bins.
- Be alert to snakes, spiders, rats and other wildlife that may have taken refuge in the building, structure or furniture.
- Wall and floor cavities should be checked for mud, debris and floodwater. If items are not completely dry, mould or mildew may develop.
- All wounds other than clean, minor cuts are considered ‘tetanus-prone’. Seek medical advice for dirty wounds or wounds where the skin has been penetrated, such as with a rose thorn or rusty nail. First aid treatment should always include cleaning the wound and using an antiseptic.
Stay safe and be hygiene aware
- If removing or moving waste, remember basic hygiene. Use personal protective equipment, including dust mask, gloves, covered shoes or boots and full-length clothing to cover your arms and legs.
- When using disinfectants or other cleaners, follow safety advice on labels and do not touch eyes and face.
- When collecting and removing rotting material such as spoiled food or vegetation, always wear a nose and mouth guard or dust mask.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after participating in clean-up activities.
- All wounds other than clean, minor cuts are considered ‘tetanus-prone’. Seek medical advice for dirty wounds or wounds where the skin has been penetrated, such as with a rose thorn or rusty nail. First aid treatment should always include cleaning the wound and using an antiseptic.
- The Environment Protection Authority has further information on handling of waste materials and hazardous materials including asbestos.
- Read the Australian Red Cross guide to cleaning up after a disaster.
Connect with Community
…
