Flooding support for residents

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.

While Brisbane City Council is working hard to reduce the impact of flooding, there are simple things residents can do to protect themselves, their homes and families.

Quick links

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 early warning alert services
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.

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

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: