Register for flood alerts
Find your state based flood resource (there’s a list below) and sign up for any available flood alerts. This will help you know if things are going to go from overcast to uh-oh in a hurry, as they sometimes can.
Protect valuables & electricals
Shift any pricey possessions, treasured items or electrical goods out of harms way. This means get them away from windows, off the floor or anywhere they’re less likely to get exposed to water. Take care to unplug things and move them safely.
Charge your devices before the water arrives
The last thing you need is your phone going flat or laptop dying if you need to call someone urgently, or keep working while it’s teeming rain outside. Charge everything up before the big wet arrives so if there’s a power outage or you lose access temporarily to an area of your property, you can still use your gadgets as required.
Guard soft furnishings
Favourite rug near the front door and flooding due? Liberate it to a safer spot in the house. Brand name armchair right near a window you don’t entirely trust? Cover it with plastic or move it away from the vulnerable area.
Have key contacts handy
It’s always a good idea to have a list of emergency contacts, including relevant authorities and your insurance information. Also have insurance policy details and documentation easily to hand.
Quarantine the irreplaceable
Old photos? Important documents? Family heirloom? If there’s something that would break your heart to lose, lock it away in a high spot under at least one very strong layer of protection (a safe, for example). You may like to have an off site safe keeping place (a family members property out of harms way, or even a safe deposit box) if you have sufficient warning that high risk weather is on the way.
Keep up on maintenance
It’s not always possible if a sudden storm strikes and you haven’t done it already. But if you have enough heads up, check and make sure your property has all its bits intact. Fix known leaks, repair gutters and overhangs, plug gaps in windows or under doors, and anything else that might let water in where it really shouldn’t. Ask your landlord if you’re renting to help you stay on top of things in preparation for bad weather events.
Don’t just take our word for it. Read up on insights from the professionals – SES Queensland