Severe Weather Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued by the Bureau of Meterology   to alert communities to the threat of severe weather.

When a warning is issued for your area (but before the storm arrives), there are a few things you can do to help protect your family and property:

• Move indoors, bringing children and pets with you 
• Have your emergency kit  handy in case you lose power or need to leave
• Park your car under secure cover and away from hail, trees, power lines and drains
• Secure or put away items from around the house, yard, or balcony that could blow around in strong winds
• Check to see if your neighbours are aware of the warning 
• When flash flooding  is likely, leaving low-lying homes and businesses well before flash flooding begins (evacuation) is the best action to take, but only if it is safe to do so. If you are trapped by rising floodwater, seek refuge in the highest part of a sturdy building. Stay there and call '000' (triple zero) if you need to be rescued 
• Listen to your local radio station and other media for infomation, updates and advice
• Unplug and avoid using electrical equipment  connected to mains power, landline phones and modems

During a storm

During a storm, there are simple things you can do to help protect your family:

• Never enter or travel through floodwater
• Stay indoors, clear of windows
• Stay clear of creeks, drains, causeways, gutters, streams, fallen trees, power lines and damaged buildings
• If driving, put your hazard lights on and pull over to the side of the road keeping clear of drains, causeways, streams, creeks, trees and power lines 
• If outdoors, seek secure shelter away from drains, causeways, streams, creeks, trees and power lines
• Listen to your local radio station and other media for information, updates and advice
• For emergency assistance in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500