Warnings are issued when an emergency is likely to impact you. They tell you how bad the emergency is. The warning system provides you with as much information as possible to help you make good decisions to protect yourself and your family.

Flood Watches, Flood Warnings, Severe Weather Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the State Emergency Service (SES) provides information about how the floodwater might affect people and properties.

• Flood Watch: means there is a developing weather pattern that might cause floods in one or two days.
• Flood Warning: means flooding is about to happen or is already happening. Flood warnings are described as Minor, Moderate of Major depending on the size and impact of the flood.
• Severe Weather Warning or Severe Thunderstorm Warning: will be issued when heavy rain fall is expected that could lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding happens quickly, with little or no warning. The arrival time and depth of a flash flood cannot be predicted.

Do not wait for an official warning to act. Put your emergency plan into action if you receive Flood Watch advice.

Weather forecasts can tell you that a storm is coming ahead of it happening, this helps you to prepare.

You can check the weather forecast on the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Weather forecasts on the television, newspaper tell you when a storm is likely to happen and how bad the storm will be.

You can find out if there is a fire, flood, storm or other emergency by:

• Visiting the VicEmergency website
• Calling VicEmergency on 1800 226 226. To get information quicker you can key in your postcode and receive an automated message. You can also speak with a staff member between 8am and 6pm.
• Downloading the VicEmergency app from the App Store or Google Play

During large emergencies you may receive a:

• SMS message to your mobile phone
• Voice message to other telephones
• Community alert by sounding a local siren (in some rural areas)

Weather reports will inform the community of storms and heavy rains which gives people time to prepare their plans and property. If you live in an area where flooding occurs regularly you should:

• Make sure your home and contents insurance covers flooding
• Keep a list of emergency numbers near your phone
• Put together an Emergency Kit and prepare a home or business Emergency Plan.

Storm Warnings often allow time to check your property:

• Move or secure all loose items on your property such as umbrellas, bikes, outdoor settings, trampolines and gardening equipment
• If it is safe, check that the gutters, down pipes and drains on your property are not blocked
• Park your car undercover and away from any trees

If you think your home or business will be flooded:

• Put household valuables and electrical items up as high as possible
• Turn off the electricity, gas and water at the mains
• Put any chemicals and oils – including those in the shed or garage up high as possible

Be ready to evacuate. Act early as conditions can change quickly and roads can be blocked. You should take any medication you or a family member needs as well as your pets with you.

Be aware of thunderstorm asthma. If you have asthma always carry your blue reliever with you. If a person in your family has asthma, be aware of the signs of worsening asthma and the asthma first aid steps.

Check your emergency plan and emergency kit

During a storm:

• Stay indoors and away from windows
• Do not shelter under trees
• Stay away from drains, gutters, creeks and other waterways

Remember floodwater can contain sharp and dangerous objects. Floodwater can also be fast moving.

Never walk, ride or drive through flood water. Don’t play or allow others to play or swim in floodwater

In a storm, damage can be caused by flood water but often it is from:

• Falling tree branches or trees
• Things left outside being blown around in the wind including trampolines, outdoor tables and chairs, bikes or other items such as bins, gardening equipment
• Roof tiles or sections of a roof coming loose and being blown around
• Flooding due to blocked drains
• Falling overhanging branches onto cars parked underneath them causing damage

What to do:

• Check your home and property for damage
• Keep clear of any damaged buildings, power lines or trees
• Have all electrical equipment professionally tested before you use them again
• If your property has been flooded check with your local Council for information and advice
• Listen to local news bulletins
• Take care in the coming days as storms can damage roads, bridges and there may be fallen trees in your area.

When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease. Before going onto your property:

• Gas or electricity supplies may be damaged – these potential hazards need to be confirmed as safe by a qualified electrician or plumber
• The structural integrity of your home and structures may be affected – this needs to be declared safe by a qualified building surveyor
• Keep children and pets away until the clean-up is completed
• Swimming or playing in floodwater is hazardous due to the risk of drowning and potential skin infection through open wounds coming into contact with the floodwater.

On site hazards may include:

• If gas has collected inside buildings do not smoke or use matches, lighters or other open flames. If possible, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights instead of candles
• Wear sturdy waterproof boots and rubber or leather gloves
• Wild animals including rodents, snakes or spiders may be trapped in and around your home.
• Cuts from broken glass and debris are also a problem
• Buildings may have asbestos-containing material. Take all necessary precautions when handling asbestos containing debris. Where there is extensive demolition, repair and renovation work involving asbestos containing material, licensed asbestos workers should be employed to do the work
• Flooding can cause excessive mould growth, which must be cleaned up before moving back to your home
• Flooding may cause sewage to overflow inside your home. Contaminated areas must be cleaned and disinfected
• Drinking water may be contaminated – do not drink any water unless you know it is safe
• Food may be contaminated, or spoiled due to a power failure.

After a flood, throw away:

• Food that has come into direct contact with floodwater
• Any food that has an unusual odour, colour or texture
• Perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that have been left above 5 °C for more than four hours.
• Canned food if the can is open, bulging or damaged
• Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soft drink bottles), twist caps, flip-top lids and home canned foods

To clean cans that are sealed, not bulging and intact which have come into contact with flood-water:

• Remove the labels
• Wash the cans
• Dip them in the bleach solution for two minutes
• Relabel the cans with a waterproof marker pen

If the power is on, refreeze or cook food that has thawed but contains ice crystals and is below 4°C. If the power is off, store food safely by keeping the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Add a block of dry ice to your fridge if the power is likely to be off longer than four hours. Always wear gloves when handling ice.

Never use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash your hands, wash and prepare food, make ice or prepare baby formula.

Local water authorities will advise you if the tap water is safe for use.

Flood water can contain sewage which contains harmful bacteria and viruses. Keep children and pets away from sewage-affected areas until it has been cleaned up.

To clean:

• Use rubber gloves and boots, and eye protection.
• Throw away contaminated household materials that cannot be cleaned or disinfected, such as carpet and children’s soft toys
• Clean and disinfect all contaminated areas with hot water and detergent, then disinfect.
• Do not use high-pressure water jets on asbestos-containing materials
• Clean cooking utensils and work surfaces using the bleach solution described above.
• Leave hard surfaces wet for 10 minutes before rinsing with clean water
• Disinfect cleaning mops, brooms and brushes with the bleach solution
• Clean and dry dirty footwear and wash your clothes separately after clean-up
• Wash your hands and any affected parts of your body with soap and water

Mould is a type of fungi that lives on plant and animal matter. Mould grows best in damp and poorly ventilated areas; it reproduces by making spores. When airborne mould spores land on damp spots indoors, they may begin to grow and spread.

Mould is not always easy to recognise. It often looks like ‘fuzz’ or appears to be a stain, smudge or discoloration.

The most common moulds are black, green or white. However, mould can be many other colours ranging from grey to orange to brown.

High mould levels are likely if the house has been flooded for more than two days.

The key to preventing mould growth is to clean up and dry out the house as quickly as possible (within 48 hours).

Before you plan your clean-up, remember that not everyone is suited to working in damp, potentially mouldy conditions.

Animals are affected by storms and floods. To keep them safe, pets should be moved inside where possible during a storm.

In the event of flood warning, pets should be evacuated with the family.

When returning to a flood-affected area remember that wild animals, including rodents, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden. Be careful.

• Do not approach wild or stray animals. For advice about dealing with animals contact your local council, animal shelter or vet
• Store away all food to avoid attracting rodents such as rats and mice. For example, store food in containers with secure lids
• Watch out for snakes
• Mosquitoes can breed rapidly in stagnant waters and become a nuisance. Take precautions to control mosquitos around your home
• Remove pets and other animals that have died as soon as possible. For advice on safe disposal speak to your local council or vet
• Wear sturdy work boots and gloves, and long pants to protect your legs
• Watch where you place your hands and feet when removing or cleaning up debris
• If you see a snake, step back from it slowly and allow it to proceed on its way. Do not touch it
• Remove debris from around your home as soon as practically possible because it can attract rodents, lizards and insects on which snakes feed
• Be aware of snakes that may be swimming in the water trying to get to higher ground