Staying safe when impacted by major flooding

Things you can do before, during and after major flooding to stay safe.  

Recent flooding has caused widespread damage to communities across regional and metropolitan areas in Victoria.  

There are things you can do before, during and after major flooding to protect yourself and your family.  

You can always leave home in an emergency, even if you have COVID-19.  

It is important that you stay up to date with information and advice for your area:  

• Updates on local flood incidents and evacuation warnings can be found on the VicEmergency website or app or by listening to your local ABC radio station
• Local road closure updates can be found on the VicTraffic website 
• Listen to your local ABC radio station or contact the SES on 132 500 to locate your nearest relief centre if you need to evacuate your home

Floodwaters are often deeper than they look. Don’t try to walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.

Good swimming skills will not always keep you safe. Swirling objects in the floodwaters, such as tree branches, could strike you. 

After flood waters subside, there are still risks to your health and safety. Safety suggestions include:  

• Keep listening to ABC local radio for updates  
• Don’t use any gas or electrical appliances before having them checked first. 
• Local water supplies in affected areas may be contaminated, so boil tap water or use bottled water until local water authorities tell you that the water is safe to drink. 
• Avoid any areas that remain flooded. 

Mosquitoes can breed rapidly and become a nuisance – cover skin with long sleeves and pants, and use an insect repellent. Mosquitos can carry a range of diseases, including Japanese Encephalitis which has recently been detected in Victoria.  

Flooding can also cause excessive mould growth, which must be cleaned up before moving back to your home. 

A number of infectious diseases, including gastrointestinal infections and hepatitis A, can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. The likelihood of illness increases when floodwater contains faecal material (poo) from overflowing sewage systems, agricultural or industrial wastes. 

Floodwaters can affect food through direct contact or, indirectly, by causing interruptions to power supplies, affecting local refrigeration. Throw away: 

• food that has come into direct contact with floodwater 
• any food that has an unusual odour, colour or texture 
• perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that have been left at above 5 °C for more than four hours 
• canned food if the can is open, bulging or damaged 
• food containers with screw caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soft drink bottles), twist caps, flip-top lids and home-canned foods. 

Flood Recovery Hotline 

Flood Recovery Hotline is a single state-wide number, 1800 560 760, that Victorians impacted by the October 2022 floods can call for help or assistance with: 

• navigating available supports 
• mental health and wellbeing support 
• emergency accommodation support 

The recovery hotline is open from 7.30am-7.30pm every day. 

Call 1800 560 760 

Emergency Relief Payment 

Emergency financial assistance is available for community members whose homes have been impacted by the current flood emergency in Victoria to help them to meet their relief needs. 

• If you think you may be eligible for an emergency relief payment, complete the online application form.  
• If you are deemed eligible you will receive payment via direct deposit within three to five business days. If you need to receive payment via a physical card, (for example, if you don’t have an email address), you will need to complete a call back form. 
• Visit the DFFH Personal Hardship Assistance Program webpage for more information. 

Where else to get help  

• In an emergency, always call 000 
• State Emergency Service Victoria (SES) Tel. 132 500 – for emergency flood or storm assistance 
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice 24 hours, 7 days a week. 
• Mental health support is available through Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14. 
• Local council 
• Your insurance company 
• Further relief and support information can be found here.  

Additional information can be found on the Better Health Channel Website. Translated information can be found on the Health Translations Website.