Preparing for extreme weather

Extreme weather can occur at any time and often when we least expect it.

There are many resources that can help you better understand your risk, some great places to start include:

• VicSES's 'Emergencies – what you need to know' webpage – offers advice for how to plan for and stay safe during different emergencies. Including providing local flood guides.
• VicEmergency - provides preparation, warning and recovery information that can be filtered by location via the website and app.
• Victoria Police’s 'Emergency response' webpage – offers a comprehensive list of emergencies services and contacts.

For more general emergency-related information and emergency warning resources, check out our Emergency management webpage.

Additionally, we recommend:

• Checking around your home for issues, such as large with branches overhanging your roof, damaged roof tiles or structural cracks in the walls of your home.
• Checking if your insurance is adequate. If you are unsure if your home is covered, seek advice from your insurance provider. Visit the Insurance Council of Australia’s website for some helpful resources.

Making a plan

The first step in preparing for extreme weather should be to develop a home emergency plan and kit. VICSES has a step-by-step guide which can help you.

Remember, a good plan should cover what to do before, during and after an emergency and consider different kinds of emergencies.

Preparing yourself and your family

Additional steps you and your family can take to prepare include making sure:

• everyone understands the emergency plan, knows where the emergency kit is located, has a safe meeting point, and has practised the evacuation route
• important documents are kept somewhere that will stay dry and will be easily accessible in an emergency
• everyone knows how and when to turn off utility mains such as gas, electricity, and water
• everyone knows the key emergency service provider contacts and emergency warning channels
• pets have name tags and microchips, and that someone is assigned to care for them should an evacuation occur
• you consider any additional resources necessary for any vulnerable people, such as seniors, pregnant women, or children. Seniors can join the Linking Neighbours program for additional support during a weather emergency.

Preparing your house

Preparing your house in advance can help reduce serious safety risks and minimise damage during an emergency. This can include:

• inspecting your property and fixing fences, roofs, and gutters
• cleaning your gutters and downpipes regularly
• sealing any cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home
• keeping your yard, balcony, and porch free from clutter and securing any loose materials
• storing car oils, pesticides, and other dangerous chemicals in airtight containers
• making sure branches near your home and power lines are trimmed
• ensuring your heating, fans and air-conditioning are in working order
• considering any alterations to your home to make it cooler, for example, adding insulation
• knowing your nearest VICSES sandbag collection point.

It is always good to plan to check on your neighbours in an emergency and have them do the same for you. That way if something goes wrong, they can get you help if you can’t do it for yourself.

It can also be handy to share your emergency plans with your neighbours and look for areas where you can help each out if an event were to occur.

The most common weather-related emergencies facing Port Phillip include extreme storms, floods, and heatwaves. Click the links below for more information:

• Extreme weather – Storms

• Extreme weather – Floods

• Extreme weather – Heatwaves

Extreme weather preparedness plans should be reviewed and refreshed at least once a year and steps including checking on your property and your neighbours should be completed more regularly.

Doing so will ensure you are prepared for whatever weather event may occur and will make sure your plans continue to improve year-on-year.