Why Plan for Flooding?

A current Business FloodSafe Plan can help reduce the impact flooding may have on your business.

• "Only those who are not prepared get caught" (Lismore business owner)
• "I wished we'd planned for the flood - it took us months to recover" (Hawkesbury business manager)
• "We wouldn't survive without a plan" (Lismore business owner)

Developing a Business FloodSafe Plan can assist you to identify impacts, priorities and actions specific for your business and by doing so may help to:

• Save lives and prevent injury.  At least 275 Australians have died in floods from work related causes (Macquarie University)
• Comply with OH&S legislation
• Reduce damage to stock, plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings.  Damage could have been reduced by an estimated 80% if business had developed flood action plans (Kempsey 2001 floods)
• Reduce the disruption of trading by reducing recovery time
• Ensure that customers return when trading recommences
• Minimise profit loss
• Protect your business reputation and image

Some important points to remember while developing your Business FloodSafe Plan:

• Essential services such as telephone and electricity could be lost long before flooding occurs  
• Most businesses are unattended outside business hours.  A flood may occur during this time
• No two floods are the same.  The rate of water rise varies between floods

Alternatively you may wish to download the original Business FloodSafe Toolkit which is available for Riverine and Flash Floods.