Extreme weather – Storms

Prepare a plan and emergency kit – VICSES has a step-by-step guide for this.

Stock up on essentials – You might lose access to essential services (for example, power, water, sewage, and gas) or be isolated for an extended period. It is important to have essential supplies prepared for at least three days, such as food (canned foods preferred), drinking water, medications, and pet food.

Check your property – Fix any broken or blocked fences, gutters, downpipes, and roofs.

Secure loose items – Move outdoor furniture, toys, or other loose items to a secure place. Turn trampolines mat-side down, or tie to a fixed object.

Move your car – find solid cover, away from trees, powerlines, drains and streams. It is important to do this before the storm and not during a storm. It is also important to note that you should avoid using any underground parking if you are in a flood-prone area.

Ensure your property is insured – check that your insurance covers storm damage. Visit the Insurance Council of Australia’s website for some helpful resources.

Stay informed – monitor weather warnings through the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) website and VicEmergency website, app and hotline at 1800 226 226.

Be prepared for a storm – Port Philip is often hit by flash floods which normally occurs within six hours or less after heavy rainfall. Therefore, it is important to not only prepare for storms but floods too. Check out our Extreme weather – Floods webpage.

Contact emergency services – In the event of a life-threatening event, call Triple Zero (000).

Find shelter – it is best to find shelter indoors away from windows. If you’re outdoors, seek shelter in a covered area or car. Avoid sheltering near drains, gutters, creeks, or waterways.

Bring in your pets – don’t leave your pets or any of their unsecured items (for example, cages) outside during a storm. They can be carried off by intense winds.

Be careful of trees – the likelihood of them falling increases during a storm. It is therefore never safe to take cover under them.

Avoid travel – but if you do need drive, be alert to hazardous road conditions including fallen and damaged powerlines and trees, as well as wet, slippery, and flooded roads. If visibility is low, pull off the road away from trees, drains, low-lying areas, and floodwater and wait for visibility to improve.

Avoid floodwaters – never drive, walk, or ride through floodwater. There is a high chance you will get stuck. Flood water is also highly toxic, so much sure not to play or swim it in either.

Unplug electrical devices – during a thunderstorm, these devices can experience electrical surges if hit. A way to protect them is to unplug them. Be careful doing do in the middle of a storm, best to do it beforehand.

Be prepared for power outages – It is common for buildings to lose power during extreme storms. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality, by having battery powered torches, lights and radios on hand and fully charged power banks.

Stay informed – monitor weather warnings through the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) website and VicEmergency website, app and hotline at 1800 226 226 and by listening to emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio, designated commercial radio and TV news stations.

Before returning – Make sure not to enter damaged or flooded building until authorities have advised that it is safe to do so. It is important to have your utilities checked by a licensed technician before turning them on again.

Check your home and property for damage – Contact VICSES on 132 500 if there is storm damage to your roof, if there is tree-related damage to your home or if any exits are blocked by trees. Don’t go up there to fix it yourself. For any other damage, please contact your insurance provider and make sure to take photos as proof.

Be careful cleaning – make sure to wear protective clothing, masks and gloves when cleaning up after a storm. It is also important to wash your hands regularly.

Avoid any dangerous hazards – such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen and damaged trees. It is especially important to avoid fallen powerlines as they may still be live, you should always stay eight to 10 metres away from a powerline.

Be careful driving – avoid driving through affected areas where possible. If you must drive, make sure to drive slowly.