Preparing for a Flood
Despite Australia’s dry terrain that is often affected by drought, significant floods occur in parts of Australia each year. These floods can cause extensive damage to both homes and businesses. However, you can take action before, during and after a flood to reduce the impact on your home or business.
Before a Flood
- Work together with your Account Manager to evaluate your flood risk.
- Gather important and valuable items and documents that you can take with you should you need to evacuate the premises. Place them in waterproof bags. Put together an “Emergency Pack” – including tinned food, water, first-aid kit, warm clothing, and a torch – that can be kept on the premises.
- Keep yourself and your family or colleagues safe by ensuring that everyone is familiar with your evacuation plan and knows where first-aid and emergency kits are. Make sure that operational and other data is backed up, and that stock and other key items can be moved if needed.
- Ensure you provide your Account Manager of any major changes that happen within your business so they can make sure that the sum for which you are insured covers the replacement value of the items that you wish to insure.
During a Flood
- Use a battery-powered radio to monitor your local radio station for updates on the flood, weather, power supply, emergency warnings and evacuation alerts. Contact 000 or your local SES in any emergency.
- Switch off utilities: electricity, gas and water. Disconnect electrical appliances. Move electrical and key items to a higher place.
- If able to safely evacuate, gather important and valuable items and documents, and lock your premises as you leave.
After a Flood
- Return to your premises only when authorities indicate that it is safe. Avoid fallen power lines and damaged trees.
- Water can become contaminated after a flood. Do not drink water straight from a tap until authorities declare it safe. Until then, boil the water before drinking it. Do not enter floodwaters unless authorities say it is safe.
- Once the danger has passed, take photos of damaged or destroyed items before disposing of them to assist in any insurance claims. Speak to our dedicated Claims Department or your Account Manager to lodge your claim.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us on (02) 9587 3500 or theteam@wsib.com.au should you have any questions or need any further advice.
