The best time to prepare for a wet weather event is before the dark clouds begin to gather.
The Queensland government has suggested each household have an up-to-date disaster plan and emergency kit.
Here is what's recommended to have on hand in the case of a flood emergency.
What do you pack in an emergency kit?
Emergency kits should cover at least three days of basic supplies for each person in your household, as well as essentials in the case of power outages or evacuation, the Queensland government says. These include:
- Drinking water: Three days' worth of water means packing at least 10 litres per person
- Food: Dried, canned, or other non-perishable items, along with utensils and a can opener
- Important medication: As well as any prescribed medication, this includes dosage measures such as syringes, spare batteries for hearing aids, spare medic-alert bracelets or necklaces, and prescription glasses
- Radio: A battery or solar-powered radio with the frequencies of ABC Radio and other local services clearly marked
- Light: As well as a waterproof battery-powered torch, consider alternatives such as a wind-up torch, glow sticks, or candles with waterproof matches.
- Spare batteries, chargers, or power banks for all devices
- First aid kit and guide
- Essential documents: As well as printing paper copies, consider including backup copies of proof of identification, prescriptions, insurance details, and emergency contact details on a USB or portable hard drive
- Bedding: Camping mattresses and sleeping bags
- Clothing suitable for flood conditions such as protective footwear, thick gloves, and rain jackets
- Toiletries including soap, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, tissues, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and sanitary items
- Cash: Some cash for necessities in case bank cards don't work
All of these items should be stored in waterproof bags.
Everybody in your household should know where to access your emergency kit and it should be checked at least once a year.
Each household is unique, and it's important to be aware of things that yours might need, such as baby supplies, mobility aids, comfort toys for children, and pet supplies.
How to prepare your home for flooding
The best way to prepare your home for a flood disaster is to perform general maintenance that can minimise the risk of damage.
This includes checking around your property for overhanging branches, crowded gutters, blocked drains, broken roof tiles, and other minor damage that may let water in.
Check your home, contents and car insurance to ensure it is current and you are covered.
Read more about checking your insurance before a flood here.
You can also start to identify which areas of the house might benefit from sandbags.
If you think your house may flood, move all poisons to a location well above ground level.
Valuable items should also be moved to higher ground.
How do you use sandbags? Where can I find them?
Sandbags will not stop floodwater entirely but can be used to reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business.
They are often made available by councils and emergency organisations.
For example Brisbane City Council offers pre-filled sandbags from September to March and also when there is severe weather predicted.
Each sandbag weighs 18 to 20 kilograms, so it's important to check your vehicle's weight restrictions and bring a friend if you need a hand with the heavy lifting.
If stored in a cool, sheltered area, sandbags can last up to 12 months before use.
Knowing how to use sandbags can be tricky, so it's helpful to keep these tips in mind:
- Sandbags are not waterproof by themselves and need to be stacked together with plastic sheeting
- Choose an area with even ground to stack sandbags
- Offset the sandbags in a similar pattern to a brick wall while stacking to improve results
- If you need to build a longer wall, build it in a crescent shape arcing out towards the water
- Place sandbags over sinks and drains where water can backflow during flooding
- Sandbags need to be disposed at Brisbane City Council transfer stations
- Stormwater often contains contaminants. Handle any wet sandbags as if they are contaminated, use gloves and boots, and treat any cuts with antiseptic wash
Whether or not weather events are current, it's important to periodically check to ensure your disaster plans are consistent with the latest official advice. You can sign up for alerts from the Bureau of Meteorology.
You can check your flood risk using your local council's flood awareness maps.
