During a flood

Know your warnings

The NSW SES will issue warnings for flooding using the Australian Warning System, including Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warnings.

During a flood

Make safe decisions

• Leave early, before roads are closed, and go to your family or friend’s place, an evacuation centre if one is open, or an assembly area.
• If you stay, it may be too dangerous to rescue you.
• If you are trapped by rising flash floods, seek refuge in the highest part of a sturdy building or high ground. Keep moving to stay above the flood height. Avoid entering roof cavities. Stay there and call triple zero (000) if you need rescue. This is a life-threatening situation.
• If you are trapped in your car by rising flash floods, seek refuge in the safest location. This may be in your car, on the roof or getting to higher ground. Keep moving to stay above the flood height. Call triple zero (000). This is a life-threatening situation.
• Be aware of the natural signs of floods.

Turn around

• Turn around on flooded roads. Find a safer way to go.
• Only travel if it is essential to do so. If you are safe, stay where you are.
• Check the Live Traffic website for information on road closures.

Follow advice

• Monitor media outlets, the NSW SES website, and socials for information, updates, and advice.
• An emergency alert may be sent to your phone (text or voice message) with information about the current emergency.
• NSW SES may not be able to reach you immediately. You may need to rely on yourself, family, friends, or neighbours for a period of time.

Stay safe

• Help your local emergency responders by staying at your safe location. Going to see areas impacted will make response and recovery efforts more difficult for your local community members.
• Throw out food and drink (including water) which has been in contact with floodwater. Only use clean and sterile utensils and personal items. Have a supply of fresh drinking water.  
• After flash floods, ensure the structural stability of your property before entering. Check for damage to windows, walls and the roof and be especially cautious of potential poisons, including asbestos. 
• Ensure gas bottles are secured.

Look out for each other

We can all work together towards being ready.

• If it is safe to do so, check to see if your neighbours need help.  
• Support someone who may require further assistance.
• Contacting your friends, neighbours and family when flooding is about to happen will help:
  • ensure that everybody understands your emergency plan; 
  • people to assist each other where necessary;
  • people to share and confirm warnings and information about the flood situation;
  • provide you (and them) with support and reassurance during a stressful situation. 

Additional resources

Get ready

Emergency Plan

Review your Emergency Plan to ensure it outlines your family's steps if extreme weather strikes. It should include information about where you will go, how you will get there, what evacuation routes you can use, what you will do with your animals, and how to manage any health needs. Create your emergency plan using the NSW SES Emergency Planning tool.

Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready to go can help you save precious time if you need to leave in a hurry. Use the Emergency Kit Checklist to gather and tick off the items as you put your kit together.

When leaving or evacuating, place in your emergency kit:

Make sure your phone is fully charged and on hand so you can contact help in an emergency. Remember to use it sparingly during a severe weather in case of a prolonged blackout. 

Electricity, gas and water safety

Floods can damage utility networks and impact the supply of essential services like electricity, water, natural gas, sewage, and telecommunications to homes and businesses. Hazards may remain after flooding has receded, so it’s important to know your risks and take adequate precautions before, during, and after an emergency.    

Always follow instructions and directions from local authorities and be ready to evacuate if necessary.  

• If you have already lost power, turn off and unplug electrical equipment. If possible, remove and relocate portable appliances to a higher location if there is a risk of flooding.  
• Don't connect portable generators to the electrical wiring of your house or office unless a licensed electrician has installed a changeover switch. Always read the manufacturer's instructions very carefully before doing so.  
• Before evacuating, turn off the gas and electricity to your home. Do not touch any electrical equipment if you are standing in water or if your hands are wet.
• Stay away from powerlines, trees and watercourses. Always assume fallen powerlines are live and stay at least 8 metres or 2 car lengths away. Do not approach them or walk under them. Trees that have fallen across powerlines could also be electrified. Do not attempt to remove trees or branches.

Visit the Electricity, gas and water safety page for more information.

Sandbags

Using sandbags to protect your home or business can help reduce damage.  

If a storm or flood warning has been issued, your local council and/or SES unit may announce where sandbagging stations may be set up in your area. Check your local information page for information.  

Visit the Using sandbags to protect your home page to learn more about how to make and use sandbags.

Evacuation

If you need to evacuate, the best option is to stay with friends and family in a safe location. Make sure you leave early, before roads are closed and your exit is blocked.

To find out if an evacuation centre has been opened, monitor your local media channels and NSW SES social media pages. Also check your local council website.

Visit the Evacuation centres page for more on how to find and what to expect at an evacuation centre. 

Recovering from a flood

After an evacuation, NSW SES will advise when it is safe for residents and businesses to return to a flood affected area. Do not go back to your property if the emergency is still active.

Additional support is available for you as you recover. Visit the Recovery page for more information about responding to and recovering from floods.    

Support resources

Hearing /speech impaired 

SMS NRS 0423 677 767

Homeless

If you are homeless call Link2Home on 1800 152 152.

Internet Relay

Make a National Relay Service chat call.

Translation services

If an interpreter is required, emergency services can access translation services.

Related resources