Prepare your home

Being prepared for severe weather and natural disasters, such as flooding, is no longer a once-in-a-lifetime event. It has become part of our way of life. Council has a range of free tools and information to help residents understand their property's potential flood risk and how to be prepared.

It is everyone’s responsibility to understand their flood risk and prepare for flooding.

Flooding in Brisbane guide

Download our Flooding in Brisbane - A guide for residents (PDF - 8.1Mb)

Useful resources

Responding to a flood threat

There are many steps to take when there is the threat of a flood at your property, including necessary preparations, where to collect sandbags and having an emergency kit ready. 

Follow these tips to prepare for a flood:

  • listen to your local radio station for updates
  • sign up for Brisbane Severe Weather Alert
  • make sure your emergency kit is ready. This should contain valuables such as jewellery, a back up of important computer files, warm clothing, important documents (such as birth certificates), and any needs for infants and pets
  • plan your evacuation route. Don't drive through floodwaters. If you plan to evacuate, do so early, as roads may become flooded or congested
  • move valuables up high
  • collect sandbags from Council depots at Darra, Morningside, Newmarket and Zillmere.

Residential emergency kit and plan

During an emergency, disruption of services such as power, water and gas may occur. Think about having an emergency kit ready with essential items such as bottled water to drink, non-perishable food, torches, radio and camp stove. You should also consider an emergency plan that you can refer to in the event of an emergency that covers everyone in your household, including your pets. Find out more about making your emergency plan.

Emergency plan

To prepare your household for an emergency:

Discuss

  • potential emergencies with all household residents. For example, bushfires, severe storms and flooding
  • how you plan to respond to each potential disaster
  • what to do during power outages and if a personal injury occurs
  • household roles during each emergency situation
  • protect your home by securing loose items.

Prepare

  • house plan and identify two escape routes from each room
  • emergency plan and locate it centrally, for example, on the refrigerator or bulletin board
  • emergency kit including batteries, clean drinking water, blankets and medicine
  • learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. Write down where the main switches and valves are located
  • post emergency numbers by the phone including:
    • police, fire and ambulance
    • Brisbane City Council
    • State Emergency Service
    • gas and electricity suppliers.
  • teach children how and when to phone 000 (triple zero)
  • instruct household residents to use a battery operated radio and tune into Brisbane radio stations for emergency information
  • choose an interstate and a local friend or relative for residents to call if separated during a disaster. Also, choose two locations to meet your family if it is impossible to return to your home
  • ensure your pets are looked after.
Emergency kit contents checklist

Prepare your emergency kit in advance and keep it somewhere you can easily access. Consider including the following items in a waterproof container.

Household

  • waterproof torch with spare batteries and bulbs, or wind-up torch
  • portable radio with spare batteries
  • mobile phone with charger (preferably car charger)
  • first aid kit, including essential medications and copies of prescriptions
  • list of emergency and personal phone numbers
  • credit cards and cash
  • drinking water and non-perishable food
  • manual can opener
  • toiletry items, e.g. toilet paper, anti-bacterial wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush and soap
  • sealable waterproof bags
  • spare keys for house and car
  • tools, e.g. wrench, pliers, utility knife
  • sturdy gloves and rubber boots
  • personal valuables
  • a back-up copy of computer files.

Baby and children

  • baby needs, e.g. formula, nappies
  • change of clothes
  • toys.

Pets

  • pet supplies, e.g. water and food dishes, food, blankets.

Important documents

  • inventory of house and contents
  • wills
  • insurance documents and policy numbers e.g. life/car/house/contents
  • birth and marriage certificates
  • passports/visa details
  • medical details, e.g. Medicare, immunisation records, and private health funds
  • financial documents, e.g. bank statements, credit cards, shares.
Preparing your pets for severe weather
  • register your dog with Council and provide all your animals with easy identification (such as a microchip) in case they go missing
  • check your yard and house to make sure your fence is intact so your pets cannot escape
  • make sure your pet has a safe area with sufficient shelter and bedding
  • choose a local friend or neighbour to discuss preparation and evacuation options if necessary.

Protect your pets during severe weather

  • stay inside away from windows with your pet and wait in the strongest part of your house, like the laundry or bathroom
  • do not tie up your pet outside
  • try to stay home with your pet or arrange for someone else to look after them if necessary
  • display calm behaviour and body language
  • make sure the area is secure so they cannot escape
  • make sure your pet has sufficient food and water to stay hydrated.

Include pet supplies in your household emergency kit

  • lead and collar
  • food and water
  • medicines, first aid kit, veterinary records
  • blanket, bedding/crate
  • sanitation i.e. kitty litter
  • dog registration tag/number
  • toys
  • waste bags.

Always make sure your pet is:

  • up to date with vaccinations and worming
  • registered annually (for dogs)
  • easily identified and microchipped
  • secure within your house or yard.
Emergency contact details

You can also check Council's emergency dashboard as well as our Facebook page and Twitter feed (@brisbanecityqld) for regular updates during an emergency event.

The Queensland Government will also update its alert website during a flood or other emergency event.

Check the Queensland Police Service Facebook page and Twitter feed (@qpsmedia) for regular updates.

Downloads

Download Flooding in Brisbane Guide and emergency checklists:

Related links

Last updated:

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.