Firstly, knowing the risk of flooding in your area is the most important whether you're in a valley next to a river or on the side of a mountain.
Find out the local flood history and compare that to the height of the buildings on your property. This can be done by contacting the local council, mayor or people who have lived in the area for a long time.
Be aware of the natural signs of flooding especially in your area and how you will be alerted if there is a flood.
Plan a route away from flood areas to evacuate to (usually an evacuate centre or friends place) and find out the height of risk roads that may be cut.
Know what you're going to take and what you're going to leave. If you decide to leave items behind, put them in the highest building on the property.
This should all be done well before a flood is likely. When a flood is likely, start looking at your insurance details and packing the items you have chosen to take. Minimum emergency items to take:
Portable radio with spare batteries
Torch with spare batteries
First aid kit (with supplies necessary for your household)
Candles and waterproof matches
Important papers including emergency contact numbers
Copy of any Home Emergency Plans
Waterproof bag for valuables
A good supply of required medications
Any special requirements and supplies for babies, the disabled, infirm and/or elderly
Appropriate clothing and footwear
Fresh food and drinking water
Action
Like most emergencies, leaving earlier is the better option.
If you choose to leave, go early and use the highest route possible.
If you decide to stay, move to the highest building on your property even if it's a shed and wait until the flood has passed.
Never enter rivers, waterways, flash flooding areas or other dangerous places. Remember, if it's flooded, forget it.Be aware that any items left under the flood level will be destroyed. There have been garages and houses filled five-six meters high of just items (hoarding) and not one item wasn't totalled.
Post Flood
Unlike what many people are aware of, post-flooding can also be really dangerous due to contamination of diseases or dangerous objects.
Never enter any body of water (even a pool) without proper PPE/C.
Never touch damaged items without proper PPE/C.
When handling items damaged by floodwaters or near food waters, be very careful about your movements. Most flood waters will have debris, waste (human and animal), animals, position, dead bodies and so forth.
there might be an increase in animals and therefore deadly animals trying to also escape the flood.
Contact your local flood assistance service (SES in Australia or Red Cross in the USA) if you need extra assistance or do not feel safe.
Note: all information provided by official government sources, NSW (Australia) State Emergency Service and NSW Rural Fire Service.
