Once floodwaters recede, you need the all-clear from your local council or SES before you can return home. Here is some important information to keep in mind once you're back on your property.
When checking for damage
- Protect yourself — If the area around your home was flooded, before you go to check your house put on protective clothing including boots, gloves, a mask, a sturdy shirt and pants.
- Be careful — The property is not safe to enter if there are any signs of structural damage.
- Safety first — Don't turn on gas, electricity or appliances until they've been checked by a professional.
- Document everything — Before you move or clean anything, take lots of photos of any damage for insurance claims.
- Wash your hands — During a flood, sewage can overflow. Anything that was exposed to floodwaters is probably contaminated. Don't touch anything wet with bare hands, especially if you have cuts or broken skin. Wash your hands regularly.
Cleaning up – riverine flooding
- Wear protective clothing — Sturdy footwear (e.g. rubber boots), loose long-sleeved shirts and trousers, thick waterproof gloves, hat and eye protection (e.g. sunglasses).
- Wash your hands — Make sure the water is clean before washing your hands and use soap. Do this regularly.
- Dry out your home — Try to dry out your building as quickly as possible. Open all the doors and windows and use fans if available to speed up the process.
- Clean first and then disinfect — Clean walls and floors with detergent and water, then disinfect walls, floors and ceilings with a solution of 125mL of household bleach to 5L of clean cold water. Do the same for kitchen benches and fridges but with a disinfectant solution of 50mL bleach to 10L of water.
- Consult an expert — If you have sentimental items that are damaged it's worth seeing if they can be restored rather than being thrown out.
- Take care with furniture and mattresses — Wet mattresses are hard to clean and could become mouldy. You may have to throw them out along with upholstered furniture unless a professional can clean and restore it.
- Be aware of hazardous material — Take precautions if you are handling asbestos, cement debris and/or chemicals. Ask local council or SES workers about waste collection and disposal in your area.
Cleaning up – flash flooding
- Assume floodwater is contaminated — Anything that came into contact with floodwater is probably contaminated. There is a risk that sewage overflow may have also occurred.
- Keep pets and children safe — Keep them away from contaminated areas until the areas have been properly cleaned.
- Dry out as soon as possible — Open doors and windows to increase ventilation and remove dampness.
- Clean and sanitise — Wash all hard surfaces (floors, walls, benches), utensils and crockery and outdoor play equipment. Use hot water and household detergent, disinfect with a bleach-based sanitiser, and do a final rinse with clean water.
- If in doubt, throw it out — Clean all absorbent household materials (mattresses, furniture, rugs, linen, children's soft toys). Dry these in the sun and then clean off the mould. If you can't remove the mould they should be thrown out.
- Get rid of mould — If mould is present, use a household detergent or a white vinegar solution.
- Outside — If yards are contaminated with mud from flash flooding, let the mud dry out before using the yard.
Mosquitoes, flies, snakes, spiders and other pests
Flies
Flies may breed quickly after flooding, especially if there's spoiled food or waste around your home. Flies can spread bacteria and parasites, so take action to limit their numbers.
- Clean your benches and food-prep areas carefully before you use them
- Keep food covered
- Throw out or compost food scraps, animal droppings and other organic waste
- Make sure rubbish bins have undamaged, tight-fitting lids
- Empty bins regularly and keep them clean
Mosquitoes
Mosquito numbers may explode after flooding as they breed in standing water. It's important to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases including Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, dengue virus, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes if mosquitoes are around
- Cover up as much as possible
- Use an effective mosquito repellent containing either picaridin or diethyltoluamide (DEET) on all exposed skin
Snakes
Snakes may be displaced during floods and may look for food and safety in homes, sheds and other buildings.
- Wear sturdy work boots and gloves and long pants to protect your legs.
- Watch where you place your hands and feet when removing or cleaning up debris.
- If you see a snake, step back from it slowly and allow it to proceed on its way. Do not touch it.
- Remove debris from around your home as soon as possible because it can attract rodents, lizards and insects on which snakes feed.
- Be aware of snakes that may be swimming in the water trying to get to higher ground.
- Don't panic if you find a snake in your home. Get advice from someone familiar with snakes or call a snake catcher in your area.
- If you are bitten call triple-0 immediately
Crocodiles
Crocodiles can turn up in unexpected places after heavy rain and flooding as rivers and streams inundate communities.
- Stay out of floodwaters. Crocodiles are hard to see in murky water.
- If you're using a boat, keep your arms and legs inside the boat at all times.
- Take care if using smaller vessels like kayaks to move around flooded areas. Large crocodiles can tip them over.
- Always report croc sightings to your department of environment.
Financial support
Services Australia has support payments for any person in an area with a declared disaster. Your state or territory may also offer additional financial support. You can find this information by searching "Services Australia disaster support" or "disaster support" where you are.
Mental health support
Services Australia can help you access social workers and information on trauma-related counselling and therapy.
If you need someone to talk to, call:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
- Domestic Violence helpline on 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)
- MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
- Headspace on 1800 650 890