Prepare your home

Being prepared for severe weather and natural disasters, such as flooding, is no longer a once-in-a-lifetime event. It has become part of our way of life. Council has a range of free tools and information to help residents understand their property's potential flood risk and how to be prepared.

It is everyone’s responsibility to understand their flood risk and prepare for flooding.

Useful resources

Responding to a flood threat

There are many steps to take when there is the threat of a flood at your property, including necessary preparations, where to collect sandbags and having an emergency kit ready.

Follow these tips to prepare for a flood:

listen to your local radio station for updates
sign up for Brisbane Severe Weather Alert
make sure your emergency kit is ready. This should contain valuables such as jewellery, a back up of important computer files, warm clothing, important documents (such as birth certificates), and any needs for infants and pets
plan your evacuation route. Don't drive through floodwaters. If you plan to evacuate, do so early, as roads may become flooded or congested
move valuables up high
collect sandbags from Council depots at Darra, Morningside, Newmarket and Zillmere.

Residential emergency kit and plan

During an emergency, disruption of services such as power, water and gas may occur. Think about having an emergency kit ready with essential items such as bottled water to drink, non-perishable food, torches, radio and camp stove. You should also consider an emergency plan that you can refer to in the event of an emergency that covers everyone in your household, including your pets.

Emergency plan

To prepare your household for an emergency:

Discuss

potential emergencies with all household residents. For example, bushfires, severe storms and flooding
how you plan to respond to each potential disaster
what to do during power outages and if a personal injury occurs
household roles during each emergency situation
protect your home by securing loose items.

Prepare

house plan and identify two escape routes from each room
emergency plan and locate it centrally, for example, on the refrigerator or bulletin board
emergency kit including batteries, clean drinking water, blankets and medicine
learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. Write down where the main switches and valves are located
post emergency numbers by the phone including:
- police, fire and ambulance
- Brisbane City Council
- State Emergency Service
- gas and electricity suppliers.
teach children how and when to phone 000 (triple zero)
instruct household residents to use a battery operated radio and tune into Brisbane radio stations for emergency information
choose an interstate and a local friend or relative for residents to call if separated during a disaster. Also, choose two locations to meet your family if it is impossible to return to your home
ensure your pets are looked after.

Emergency kit contents checklist

Prepare your emergency kit in advance and keep it somewhere you can easily access. Consider including the following items in a waterproof container.

Household

waterproof torch with spare batteries and bulbs, or wind-up torch
portable radio with spare batteries
mobile phone with charger (preferably car charger)
first aid kit, including essential medications and copies of prescriptions
list of emergency and personal phone numbers
credit cards and cash
drinking water and non-perishable food
manual can opener
toiletry items, e.g. toilet paper, anti-bacterial wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush and soap
sealable waterproof bags
spare keys for house and car
tools, e.g. wrench, pliers, utility knife
sturdy gloves and rubber boots
personal valuables
a back-up copy of computer files.

Baby and children

baby needs, e.g. formula, nappies
change of clothes
toys.

Pets

pet supplies, e.g. water and food dishes, food, blankets.

Important documents

inventory of house and contents
wills
insurance documents and policy numbers e.g. life/car/house/contents
birth and marriage certificates
passports/visa details
medical details, e.g. Medicare, immunisation records, and private health funds
financial documents, e.g. bank statements, credit cards, shares.

Preparing your pets for severe weather

register your dog with Council and provide all your animals with easy identification (such as a microchip) in case they go missing
check your yard and house to make sure your fence is intact so your pets cannot escape
make sure your pet has a safe area with sufficient shelter and bedding
choose a local friend or neighbour to discuss preparation and evacuation options if necessary.

Protect your pets during severe weather

stay inside away from windows with your pet and wait in the strongest part of your house, like the laundry or bathroom
do not tie up your pet outside
try to stay home with your pet or arrange for someone else to look after them if necessary
display calm behaviour and body language
make sure the area is secure so they cannot escape
make sure your pet has sufficient food and water to stay hydrated.

Include pet supplies in your household emergency kit

lead and collar
food and water
medicines, first aid kit, veterinary records
blanket, bedding/crate
sanitation i.e. kitty litter
dog registration tag/number
toys
waste bags.

Always make sure your pet is:

up to date with vaccinations and worming
registered annually (for dogs)
easily identified and microchipped
secure within your house or yard.

Emergency contact details

Life threatening emergencies - 000
Police/fire/ambulance (mobiles 000 and 112)
State Emergency Service (SES) - 132 500
Energex - 13 19 62
Brisbane City Council - 07 3403 8888

You can also check Brisbane City Council's Facebook page and Twitter feed (@brisbanecityqld) for regular updates during an emergency event.

The Queensland Government will also update its alert website during a flood or other emergency event.

Check the Queensland Police Service Facebook page and Twitter feed (@qpsmedia) for regular updates.

Downloads

Download emergency checklists: