What to do immediately after a flood

Ensure you, your family, neighbours and pets are safe. If people are missing, or if you're in a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).

Use the Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite service to let people know you're safe and to find other people who have registered as safe.

Stay calm. Attend to physical injuries and emotional distress. Seek emergency medical help and other services, if required.

• Find doctors and other health services near you.
• Staying healthy after floods and storms.
• If you are isolated and need essential items such as food, fuel or medicine, call NSW SES on 132 500.
• After a crisis it is often easier to talk to someone who is not involved and is trained to listen. Reach out for mental health support and resources.
• For advice on how to access medications, prescriptions, Medicare or concession cards that have been lost or destroyed during the bushfires, visit NSW Health.
• If you're an NDIS participant in a disaster-affected region, call 1800 800 110 for priority support

If you need an interpreter, call the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS National) on 131 450.

The SES will issue an 'all clear' when it’s safe to return to an area after an evacuation. Visit the SES to monitor notices. Do not go back to your property if the emergency is still active.

Don't enter a damaged building or structure, unless authorities tell you it is safe.

If your property is damaged or unsafe, you may not be able to stay there. Secure your property and call Service NSW on 13 77 88 to organise temporary accommodation.

When you can enter your home, make sure you:

• take great care around electricity, gas and water. Follow the SES Electricity Safety Tips and advice on other services.
• shut off damaged utilities.

Find out how to avoid risks during clean up.

Try to locate your essential documents and identification. 

If they've been lost or destroyed, you can apply to have ID and personal documents replaced for free.

Lock up your home and secure all entry points if possible.

If you're a tenant, contact your property manager or landlord.

If you live in a Department of Housing residence, call the 24/7 helpline on 1800 422 322.

If you can't stay at your home because it is unsafe:

• secure it and inform local police that the property will be vacant
• call Service NSW on 13 77 88 to organise temporary accommodation

contact your insurance company to see if it can provide any immediate help with money for essentials and accommodation.

If you can still live in your property but critical repairs are required:

• take photos of the damage
• secure your valuables
• reach out for legal and insurance support. 

If your local area is declared as impacted by a disaster, you may be able to get financial assistance from the government. 

Learn more about floods grants and other support.

You should also:

• save receipts related to anything you spend on property repairs
• watch out for home repair scams
• contact your insurer about your policy and to submit a claim, if applicable

For assistance with pets and livestock (including horses), call the RSPCA on 1300 278 358 or the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

For advice about assisting injured wildlife, visit WIRES Emergency Advice or call 1300 094 737.