Flood

• Check your state emergency service and local broadcasts to stay aware of any recommendations and warnings.
• Ensure your emergency plan and emergency kit are easily accessible.
• Secure your home:
  • Have sandbags ready and in place to help prevent water from entering your property. Be prepared to block doorways, long frame windows and other ground level entry points.
  • If needed, to prevent sewer backflow, cover all drains, and toilets.
  • Turn off the electricity and gas at the mains and secure any gas bottles and generators.
  • Check for loose materials and remove or secure items (such as, garden furniture, toys, trampolines, or flags) that could cause damage if blown around in high winds or swept away in flood waters.
  • Safely clear out your gutters, downpipes and drains to help prevent blockages.
  • Ensure your roof, windows, and shutters are secure.
  • Move things to higher ground and make sure items (especially those of greatest importance to you) are in a safe place and waterproofed, e.g. jewellery, documents, photos, medicines.
• Listen out for advice from your states emergency services and the Bureau of Meteorology.
• If you are evacuating:
  • Check for road closure and plan accordingly. Never enter or travel through floodwater.
  • Remember to take your emergency kit, pets, medications, spare clothes, and mobile phone.

• Stay safe: floodwater is dangerous, do not enter floodwater.
• If emergency assistance is required contact your local state emergency service on 132 500.
• In a life-threatening emergency, call 000.
• If you are inside:
  • Stay inside and watch for rising floodwaters.
  • If the flood water enters the building, move up to a higher point such as a second storey or a kitchen bench.
• If you are outside:
  • Stay away from trees, drains, bodies of water, waterways, and low-lying areas.
  • Move away from any floodwater and seek shelter indoors.

• Stay away from dangerous hazards, such as fallen powerlines, damaged roads, and floodwaters.
• Check your property for damage.
• Leave your electricity and gas mains turned off until advised otherwise by your utility company or emergency service.
• Don't turn on electrical items that have been submerged in water or affected by water in any way.
• Throw away any food remaining in your refrigerator.
• Check your state emergency service or local broadcast for updates and additional safety recommendations.
• If you have damaged property you'll be claiming for, take photos/videos and/or keep a record of model numbers. Keep a sample of any damaged flooring to help identify an appropriate replacement (where covered).

Secure your home

• We can help with securing your home and organising emergency repairs if needed. This will be a temporary measure as we assess what needs to be repaired.
  
  

Dry out your home

• If your home has been inundated by flood waters, we may need to remove internal wall linings to support the drying out of your home.
• If water has entered through the roof, we may need to place dryers in your home, to help dry out the walls and flooring.

1. Lodge your claim - once you've lodged your claim, if needed, we'll organise temporary repairs to help minimise further damage.
   
   
2. Record your lost items - while you clean up and we finalise requirements, if you have any damaged items you’ll be claiming for, please take photos and keep a record of model numbers if possible.
   
   
3. Assess the damage - we'll work with you to assess the extent of damage to your home and prepare a list of repair work required. As repairs commence, if further work is identified, the list will be adjusted accordingly.
   
   
4. Ready for repair - once the list of repairs has been agreed on, our builder will confirm a start date and we’ll keep you informed throughout the repair process.
   
   
5. Return home - if you have been in temporary accommodation, you'll be able to move back into your home once repairs have been completed.

NSW State Emergency Service

Victoria State Emergency Service

Queensland State Emergency Service

South Australia State Emergency Service

Western Australia Department of Fire & Emergency Services

Tasmania State Emergency Service

Help in an Emergency – Department of Human Services

Emergency Relief Services – Department of Social Services