Plan for an Emergency

What if it floods while you're on holiday?

You'll need to know how to respond if severe weather turns into a flood emergency. Read this before your next trip.

A caravan in a puddle of water at the flooded Curtin Springs campground in the NT

This is what you should do in a flood evacuation

If your area is likely to flood the SES or council could issue an evacuation order. Follow these steps to stay safe.

two sate emergency service volunteers on a flooded road with one on a rubber boat

Designing a flood resilient home with Gardening Australia

In this episode of Gardening Australia, Jerry Coleby-Williams visits an architect who's built his practice on helping people design buildings that are more resilient to floods.

A woman's hands holding a chunk of dried mud with small holes in it.

When severe weather threatens, this is what you should do.

You've unplugged the modem and tied down the trampoline, so what else should you do now that the storm is here?

Storm clouds roll in over the Brisbane suburb of Annerley. A white house in the foreground stands out against the dark sky.

Getting ready for NT bushfire season

A fire danger period has been declared in the Northern NT. It's a good reminder to check you're prepared this bushfire season.

A red fire truck parked on a road beneath power lines under a smoky yellow sky

Do you know what to do if there's a bushfire in your area?

Following your bushfire survival plan could save your life if there's a fire in your area. Read more about what you should do when a warning is issued.

A white ute and red fire trucks line a road in rural Victoria under large trees. Fire fighters in orange stand with the trucks

How to emotionally support your little ones through an emergency

Enduring a disaster can be traumatic for anyone. Children often need extra help understanding their feelings, here are some ideas for how you can help.

A mother hugs two young boys to her waist.

You need to know about the Australian Fire Danger Rating System

The Australian Fire Danger Rating System gives you an idea of how dangerous a fire could be if one starts in your area. It's quite simple — and it could save your life.

A semi-circle cut into four wedges, green is Moderate, High is yellow, Extreme is orange, Catastrophic is red.

Build your bushfire survival kit

A bushfire survival kit gives you easy access to things that will help save your life in a bushfire. Already have one ready to go? It's worth double-checking to make sure everything you need is there.

21 images of things you need to have in your bushfire survival kit

Dealing with an emergency when you have a disability

If you are one of the more than 4 million Australians with a disability how do you access information when an emergency threatens your life or property?

An elderly woman in a wheelchair, and a person standing behind the chair, both looking off into the distance across a paddock.

Floods don't always move slowly, prepare now

Make sure you know your property flood risk, and prepare early because floods can happen quickly.

A white caravan with a green stripe and a dark blue stationwagon are surrounded by floodwater in a suburban street

Lots of rain can mean mould, this is how to get rid of it.

Our houses can become breeding grounds for mould after prolonged rain. It's important to clean and remove it properly as it can lead to severe health effects.

Black school backpack with bright patterned straps covered in mould.

Are you one of the 90% of Australians without an emergency plan?

Here's why you should use the cooler months to prepare for bushfire and storm seasons.

A white pillowcase with child's drawing and writing of items to include in an emergency including, small pillow, radio, clothes.

After The Disaster

After you've experienced a disaster, there is so much to work through. After the Disaster is a podcast that offers practical tips and evidence-based advice.

How to listen to ABC Radio in an emergency

Stay informed in an emergency, set your local ABC radio station in the ABC listen app, and find the frequency on your battery-powered radio.

A roadside sign displaying the radio frequency for local ABC Emergency broadcasts in the Bega area.

How to use the ABC Emergency skill on Amazon Alexa

The ABC Emergency skill updates you on fires, floods, storms and more near you, in seconds.

Red speech bubble with the words "Alexa, ask ABC Emergency to give me an update for Mildura"

Know what you'll do with your animals if it floods

Make an evacuation plan for your pets and livestock to keep them safe in an emergency.

A man walks through floodwaters pushing dozens of drenched chickens on a kayak.

The floodwaters have receded. Now what?

Once the floodwaters recede you could be faced with structural damage to your home, contaminated water, river mud, black mould and sometimes dangerous animals. Here is some information to help with the recovery and clean up.

Helping hands: plan for a disaster with ABC KIDS

Access our planning tool for educators to help young children and families prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters.

Digital illustration of an emergency worker wearing a yellow uniform.

Do you know how to prepare for severe weather?

Don't underestimate severe weather. Know what needs to be done to make your place safe.

Lightning and storm clouds over a town, lit up at night. There are three forks of lightning lighting the grey cloudy sky.

Are you prepared for cyclones?

Is your household prepared for a cyclone, or will you be a last-minute Larry looking for the last packet of batteries in the supermarket once a warning is issued?

Waves crashing on a beach with grey storm clouds overhead

What you need in your cyclone emergency kit

Not sure what you should have in your emergency kit for severe weather and cyclones? Check out our comprehensive list.

Thing you should have in an emergency kit including food, water, battery-powered radio, games, puzzles, cash, toiletries

What to do during a cyclone

Cyclones are part of life in northern Australia. Whether you're in WA, the NT, the Gulf of Carpentaria or Queensland.

A blue and white WA police car parked on red dirt overlooking buildings under ominous grey storm clouds.

You're on holiday and there's a BOM cyclone watch. What do you do?

Here are the steps you should take if there's a cyclone heading for where you're holidaying.

a wide image of an empty marina with large dark clouds overhead

Dealing with a power outage after severe weather

Power outages from disasters can last anywhere from hours to weeks. Here are some tips to help you through a power cut safely.

Collapsed transmission towers in a field.

How to clean up after a storm or cyclone

Cleaning up after severe weather or cyclones can be exhausting and stressful. It's important to wait for the all-clear before you begin, wear protective gear and stay safe by listening to local authorities.

A man walks through a flooded easement with his white shepherd cross dog

Preparing for disasters - do you know your Emergency ABCs?

Are you one of the 90 per cent of Australians who haven't made an emergency plan that could save your family and your home?

Know your ABCs in an emergency campaign image