Emergencies can strike at anytime, anywhere and without warning. If you have a disaster plan, you’re in a better position to protect yourself, the people you love and the things you value most when disasters happen. 

Tips for being better prepared:

• Pack an emergency preparedness kit (Australian Red Cross has an Emergency Pack List you can use as a guide of what to include in your kit)
• Create and practice a disaster plan – be sure to include the following in your plan:
  • Where to shelter
  • A route for evacuation
  • Getting emergency alerts and warnings
  • Family communication
  • Contact your neighbours to connect and offer mutual support
  • Your medication and scripts
  • Listen to local officials – Local governments have systems in place to help area residents learn about impending or occurring disasters. The timely information these entities provide can help you understand what threats are present and know when it's necessary to evacuate. Sign up for alerts from local and national organisations to get the information you need and remember that the groups that provide these messages are experts. Respect their warnings and follow their guidance as closely as possible for your own safety.
  • Identity documents such as drivers licences, birth certificates and passports
  • Manage the details – Take note of your insurance policy numbers and keep this information in a safe place that's easy to access. You'll want the numbers for your vehicle, home and any other relevant policies you've purchased relating to things that might get damaged during a disaster. It's also a wise idea to have your insurance company's claims department phone number on hand in case you need to start the process right away. 

Further information and resources:

Floods – farm preparation and clean up

Australian Red Cross RediPlan

Australian Red Cross Emergency Pack List

Australian Red Cross ‘Get Prepared’ app for iOS and Android

Keep up to date with relevant alerts and warnings during a disaster

• Bureau of Meteorology – National warnings summary
• NSW Rural Fire Service – Hazards Near Me NSW
• NSW State Emergency Service
• NSW Transport Live Traffic
• ABC Radio 

Evacuation Centres

• In some emergencies, an evacuation centre will be established in the local area to support affected residents. The establishment of the evacuation centre will be advertised on local radio, government websites and social media.
• The St John's Ambulance provide triage and immediate first aid for minor health concerns at evacuation centres.
• If your medications have been lost or destroyed in a disaster, and you cannot contact your GP or pharmacist, you can ask St John's Ambulance to assist you.
• Disaster-trained Chaplains support evacuees in evacuation centres. Chaplains can support you and your family upon presentation at the evacuation centre and can refer evacuees to further psychological support services.
• Where possible, representatives from local First Nation's organisations will be present at evacuation centres to support local First Nation's communities.

Accessing medical help 

If you cannot access your usual doctor or pharmacy, support for non-urgent medical advice is available through: 

• National Health Services Directory (the National Health Services Directory allows you to easily search for the closest doctor, pharmacy or other health services that are open now, including after hours.)
• Healthdirect (provides 24/7 health information, advice and referral for all Australians no matter where they live and when they need help.)
• After Hours GP (clinics and telephone services in Dubbo, Bathurst & Orange) 

In a life-threatening emergency always call 000. 

Healthcare providers involved in your care may be able access your important health information, including medicine details, medical conditions and pathology test results via My Health Record. 

If you're not sure where to find a health service, click here. 

If you don't have your Medicare card and need to replace it call 13 20 11. 

Mental Health Support 

• Head to Health – Call 1800 595 212 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday for free mental health support
• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support
• 13YARN – Call 13 92 76 for 27/7 crisis support for First Nations Australians 

For a list of additional and dedicated services, click here. 

Important health advice 

Never use floodwater or water that may have been compromised by floods to wash dishes, your hands, brush your teeth, make ice or make baby formula. 

Always wash your hands with soap and safe water after touching anything that had been exposed to flood water. 

Be careful when entering flood water if you have any wounds. Flood water can carry harmful bacteria from sewage contamination, increasing the risk of diseases such as Leptospirosis. 

Trench foot, or immersion foot syndrome, is a serious condition that is a result of feet being wet for too long. Always wear shoes or gumboots in flood waters. While it is a significant condition, it is also preventable with care - be on the look out for symptoms such as cold, numb, pale, swollen or clammy feet and seek medical advice as soon as is practical. 

Stagnant water can also lead to a rise in mosquito-borne diseases, so click here for tips on how to protect yourself. 

Staying healthy during and after floods 

Medication and scripts 

In an emergency where you are not able to reach a community pharmacy, a public hospital pharmacy might fill your prescription if they have medicines available. 

If you don't have a prescription, call your doctor and ask them to send your prescription to a pharmacist near you or provide them with a verbal request. 

If you are unable to see your usual doctor, try making a telehealth appointment and have a script sent to you or your pharmacy electronically. 

Your pharmacist may be able to provide additional options. 

If you are concerned about the safety of your medicine, contact your pharmacist or doctor, or the NPS Medicines Line 1300 633 424. 

Helping during a disaster 

There are many ways to help during an emergency – either as a volunteer or as a donor. 

Preparing food for others is a natural response in an emergency, but it is often not  practical for emergency services to accept donated, ready-to-eat food during emergencies. 

If you’d like to donate food or help in any other way, contact Red Cross, a local emergency service organisation, or your council to determine the best way to assist. 

Learn more about donating food to emergency services

Recovery Centres

• Following some disasters, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will establish recovery centres in disaster-affected communities.
• The recovery centre staff can support residents to apply for disaster grants and payments if the event triggered a formal disaster declaration. Residents and businesses are able to visit recovery centres to seek support with financial recovery.
• Recovery centres can also support residents with obtaining new identity documents and cards including but not limited to drivers licences and medicare cards.
• Recovery centre staff are able to connect affected residents with mental health support.

Mental Health 

The mental, physical and financial impact on those affected by disasters can continue long after the water has dried up or the fires put out. 

It’s important to avoid unhealthy habits and things that won’t help when you have experienced a disaster. Remember to: 

• Acknowledge your emotions and share them with people you trust.
• Keep in touch with your friends, family and colleagues.
• Be patient with yourself; reassure yourself you can get through this.
• Keep to your normal routines as much as possible.
• Physical exercise is helpful, in addition to eating regular, healthy meals.
• Use deep breathing and relaxation techniques if you feel tense and anxious or to assist with sleep disturbances.
• Allow yourself some personal space and acknowledge that you have been through a difficult time. 

And remember, support is available. Find the support service that’s right for you. 

Mould 

After floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mould in homes and other buildings. When re-entering your flooded home, be aware that mould may be present and could pose a health risk to your family. If you find mould growing in your home, affected areas or items should be treated to remove mould spores as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to deal with mould after flooding. 

Further information and resources:

Cleaning up after an emergency (water damage)

Preparing to return home following a bushfire evacuation

NSW SES Recovery Guide

Supporting children and families to prepare and recover through bushfire events

Supporting children and families to prepare and recover during and after a flood event

Supporting child and family mental health and wellbeing during drought