Get prepared for floods
Before
- Find out from your local council if your home or business is at risk from flooding, and how they will alert you if you need to evacuate.
- Check Greater Wellington Regional Council's Flood Map to see if where you live, work, or play is prone to flooding.
- Create a plan for if access to your house is cut off, or you need to evacuate due to flooding. Ensure you have a grab bag ready to go and a plan for your pets and/or livestock.
- Make a houshold plan for the safest evacuation routes you could take. All members of the household should know where to evacuate to, what routes to take if you need to leave, and where to meet each other afterwards.
- If flooding is expected - move your valuables/furniture upstairs. Use watertight containers to store important items.
- Lift curtains, rugs and bedding off the floor.
- Bring outdoor belongings, such as patio furniture, indoors.
- If flooding is expected, consider using sandbags to keep water away from your home.
During
- Prepare to evacuate quickly, follow your emergency plan, take your grab bag and pets with you. If you feel unsafe - self-evacuate, don't wait for an official warning.
- Listen to the radio and follow instructions of emergency services.
- Turn around don't drown! Stay out of flood water - never try to walk, swim, or drive through flood water. Many flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to travel through flood water.
- Always assume that flood water is contaminated with farm run-off, chemicals, and sewage. Contaminated flood water can make you sick. Make sure you wash your hands, clothes, and property after contact with flood waters.
- Turn off water, electricity and gas if advised.
- Check on your neighbours and anyone who may need your help.
After
- If you have evacuated, you should only return home once officials advise it is safe to do so. It may not be safe even when flood waters have receded.
- Look before you step - the ground may be slippery or covered with debris including broken glass. Stay away from damaged areas.
- Help others if you can.
- If your property is damaged, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and contents insurance company.
- Once home, throw away any food, including canned goods, or drinking water that has come into contact with flood water as it may be contaminated. Avoid drinking or preparing food with flood water until you are certain it is not contaminated.
- Follow any boil water notice instructions from your local council.
- Clean up carefully and take care around remaining flood water - you may need to wear protective gear such as gloves, sturdy footwear and protective clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Take photos, for your insurer, of any items you throw away.
There are 4 main types of flooding:
Rising Rivers
Rising Rivers are caused by heavy rain which can cause rivers to overflow their banks onto the floodplain (the flat section next to a river).
Flash floods
Flash floods are caused when heavy rain falls in a small area with little warning.
Coastal areas
Coastal areas can flood because of unusually high tides, swells, or tsunami.
Urban flooding
Urban areas can flood when the rain falls faster than the storm water system can manage, or when storm water drains become blocked. These floods usually happen quickly and can block roads and damage buildings.
Resources
- Flood hazard advice (Greater Wellington Regional Council)
- Food safety in disasters (Ministry for Primary Industries)
- Floods (Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand)