Preparing for floods and slips

By Frank Neill

Cyclone Gabrielle has once again demonstrated that we are now much more likely to be affected by flooding and slips, thanks to climate change.

There are a number of things people can do to prepare for events like these.

Power outages have hit many thanks to Cyclone Gabrielle. Making sure your mobile phone is charged is one way you can prepare yourself. You can also have battery powered lights, which is much safer than using candles.

Having food in the cupboard or the ‘fridge that does not need to be cooked is another good idea. There are also a number of steps people can take to prepare their properties.

One is to ensure heavy items in your yard are secure and won’t blow away. There are stories a-plenty of items like trampolines, barbecues and outdoor furniture getting picked up by winds.

If your home is flood prone, consider using sandbags to protect it.

Consider placing items that would be damaged by water as high as possible inside your house.

Your car, van or ute will be safest parked in a garage or carport during a storm. If that is not possible, it is worth considering parking your car off the road. Regular home maintenance can help a lot when a storm hits. Having your gutters and drains clear of leaves and other items can help reduce the effects of heavy rainfall. In the case of high winds, fences can be hit and can even cause damage. Checking that your fences are in good condition and that loose material is fixed or removed can lessen this risk.

If in doubt, evacuate your home. This may even save your life, as we have seen with people drowning in floods.

It may also mean that you don’t have to be rescued from a roof top.

Landslides also put people at risk – another reason to evacuate if there is a risk of this happening.

Make sure you have an emergency kit that is correctly stocked. As well as having such items as first aid supplies and at least one change of clothing, you should have enough food and water for at least three days.

An emergency kit can be used when a number of natural disasters strike, not just floods and slips, but also earthquakes for example.

And finally, check your insurance cover.

It is important to review your insurance regularly, making sure that you have enough insurance cover to rebuild your home and replace your valuables after an emergency.

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