Storm Season Preparedness
With one storm already so early in the season its time to continue ensuring we’re prepared with regular maintenance throughout the season ahead.
DFES’s State Emergency Service (SES) has these tips to help you and your family prepare before the season:
- Trim branches around your home to prevent them falling on your roof or car and hire a contractor to clear trees from powerlines
- Check your roof and gutters for damage or loose material. Replace any damaged or missing tiles
- Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and blockages so they don’t over flow after heavy rain
- Store or weigh down loose objects around your home like outdoor furniture, playground equipment and sheds
- Prepare an emergency kit with a portable battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and a first aid kit
- Be aware that after a bad storm services such as power, telephones lines, water, sewerage and gas may not work
- Prepare an emergency kit and an emergency plan including a relocation plan in case your home becomes flooded after heavy rain or flash flooding:
- Consider what you will do with your pets (see animal welfare)
- Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies
- Display a list of emergency phone numbers
- Keep up to date with the latest information before, during and after a storm:
- Visit the alerts page on the DFES website
- For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213
- Monitor the radio, television or internet
- Check you have adequate home and content insurance. Regularly review your cover to take into consideration renovations, fixtures and additions such as swimming pools, sheds, gazebos or new appliances