Understand the risk of floods in your area
Being aware of how flooding might affect the areas where you live and work will help you plan for the risks you might face.
Get to know your flood risk
Contact your local council to find out where past floods have occurred in your area. This will help you understand if floods could affect your home or business, and how high the water may reach.
Speak to people who have been in the area for a long time about the local warning signs of flooding. This will help you to act quickly if required.
For further information on the risks in your area, visit the SES website.
Understand the chance of flooding
It is important to understand the terms used to describe the likelihood of flooding in your local area.
For example, a 1-in-100-year flood means that there is a 1% chance every year of that level of flooding being equalled or exceeded.
Watch this NSW SES video for more on Understanding the chance of flooding.
Flash flooding
The heavy rainfall associated with storms and tropical cyclones can lead to dangerous flash flooding. Quickly pooling or rushing waters are often a sign that flash flooding is happening.
Read more on the dangers of flash flooding.
Coastal flooding
Sea level rise during storms can lead to coastal erosion. This can damage buildings, infrastructure, and be a danger to people.
Learn more about coastal erosion.
Check your insurance policy and what it covers
Make sure that your insurance is up to date and your level of cover is adequate for
- your personal situation
- the area where you live.
Knowing if your area is prone to disasters will help you better understand the risks. If you're not sure, check with
- your insurance company
- the local council
- people in your community.
Consider checking your insurance policy to:
- understand the difference between storm and flood cover
- confirm if your policy includes cover for flood damage
- know what emergency events you're covered for
- understand the difference between total replacement cover and sum-insured cover
- check if the total amount you're insured for will cover the cost of repairs.
Learn more about choosing home insurance at Moneysmart.