Recovering from a disaster

Disaster recovery is the coordinated process of supporting affected individuals and communities in the reconstruction of the physical infrastructure, restoration of the economy and of the environment, and support for the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of those affected.

Community recovery

Dealing with an emergency can be stressful and exhausting. Recovering from an emergency or disaster event is a complex process that may take months or even years to overcome. Brisbane City Council works closely with a number of emergency service agencies and organisations to help coordinate the response and recovery efforts of a disaster event and to provide assistance to those communities who have been affected. 

Some of these agencies and organisations include Australian Red Cross, SES, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Police Services, Energex, Volunteering Qld and more.

Health and wellbeing

Residents are encouraged to take care of their physical and emotional wellbeing when cleaning-up. Council is working closely with Lifeline and the Red Cross who can provide support for affected residents. The most common health risks during clean-ups include falls, skin lacerations, snake or spider bites, skin infections, sunburn and mosquito-borne infections.

If you or someone you know is distressed and finding it difficult to cope, please seek assistance. Support is available through organisations such as Lifeline and the Red Cross.

Lifeline maintains a telephone counselling service in addition to providing information, referral and associated services. Phone 13 11 14.

The Red Cross provides free information and resources on recovering from a disaster including the Cleaning up after an emergency guide. Residents can also phone 1300 554 419.

Help may also be obtained from your general practitioner, local community health centre or local mental health service. Please refer to the White Pages.

Pets and animal rehoming centres

If your family pet is missing Council maintains a register of all lost and found animals in Brisbane to help with your search. To search for your pet you can:

  • search online to see if your lost animal is at a Council animal rehoming centre. If your animal is on the list, claim it as soon as possible. If your lost animal is not listed online, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to register your details
  • contact RSPCA on 1300 363 736 and local vets

If you find a lost animal, please contact your local vet or Council.

Register. Find. Reunite.

During emergency situations or disasters, the Register. Find. Reunite. system is launched by the Australian Red Cross.

Residents who have been evacuated are encouraged to register their name and whereabouts with the Register. Find. Reunite. system. Once registered, friends and family can locate you. 

The Register. Find. Reunite. system can be accessed during a disaster by:

If you use the Australian Red Cross website to register your location and whereabouts, or to search for a loved one, choose the appropriate emergency event from the drop-down box.

The Register. Find. Reunite. website may not work on some web browsers.  If you're having trouble accessing the system, phone 1800 100 188 or visit an evacuation centre.

Emergency phone numbers

For help during an event:

  • Life threatening emergencies - 000 or 112 from a mobile device
  • Brisbane State Emergency Service (SES) - 132 500
  • Energex (loss of power) - 13 62 62

For help after an event:

Disaster appeals and donations

Council encourages those who wish to donate items to residents affected by an emergency or disaster event to direct their goods or donations to the following local charities:

More information and services

For assistance or further information about disaster recovery, phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Find more information:

Last updated:

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.