Flood emergencies

SES provides community education and awareness about flood preparedness. They also organise municipal flood emergency plans with support from local councils.

The parts that make up Victoria's emergency response

There are 5 connected parts that make up Victoria’s emergency response:

• mitigation
• planning
• preparedness
• response
• recovery.

Mitigation

Mitigation means eliminating or reducing the incidence or severity of emergencies and minimising their long-term effects.

DEECA assists in mitigating emergencies by:

• formulating and implementing policy and regulation (such as land-use planning and building regulations, and floodplain management)
• building, operating and maintaining infrastructure.

Planning

Planning means forward-thinking using the processes of the Emergency Act 2013 and of agencies, based on outcomes.

DEECA provides input into the State Emergency Management Plan and associated sub-plans including the Flood Sub-Plan.

Preparedness

Preparedness means preparing for and reducing the effects of emergencies by having plans, capability and capacity for response and recovery.

DEECA works in partnerships with communities to be better prepared for future floods along with:

• Local Councils
• Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs)
• SES
• Water Corporations

DEECA is involved in various activities. These include:

• undertaking exercises
• preparedness briefings
• training and accreditation in core capabilities.

Response

Response means combating emergencies and providing rescue and immediate relief services.

VICSES is the control agency for flood response.

DEECA provides support including:

• providing a coordinated response to manage residual water after a major flood event
• providing flood mapping information and flood advice
• providing real time access to stream flow data collection for flood warning purposes
• working with water corporations and power companies to maintain key services and supply.

Recovery

Recovery means assisting people and communities affected by emergencies to achieve a proper and effective level of functioning.

Emergency Management Victoria oversees recovery activities for all emergencies across the State.

DEECA provides support by:

• Overseeing activities taken by water corporations to recover and rehabilitate reticulated wastewater management systems.
• Rehabilitating, restoring and reinstating public land assets by supporting catchment management authorities to deliver these works.
• Supporting Emergency Management Victoria to deliver recovery programs and financial assistance.

Travel

Please check VicEmergency and Vic Traffic websites before travelling and defer non-essential travel to flood-affected areas.

Do not drive into flood waters.

For information about closures of forests, parks, roads and trails on public land managed by DEECA, visit Forest and road closures, and by Parks Victoria, visit Flood and storm-affected parks.

Heritage places and objects

If you need information about the salvage and recovery of heritage places and objects, visit disasters and heritage – getting prepared and recovery.

Stagnant water after flooding

As flood water starts to drop, you may notice you have some water left in low-lying or flat areas of your property. Stagnant water will eventually evaporate or flow into waterways. In some instances, stagnant creates access problems or affects business operations for individual properties.

If you want to pump or release water into a waterway, first check by visiting the relief and recovery page on the Vic Emergency site.

Local water supply, infrastructure and storages

For issues in your local area relating to your water supply and wastewater services, sewer spills or drinking water safety, please contact your local water corporation. You can find them on find your local water corporation.

You can find weekly updates on Victoria’s water storage levels by visiting the current water snapshot.

Water quality alerts

The Environment Protection Authority is responsible for monitoring water quality across the state. Visit water quality alerts for current updates.

Private dam safety management

Heavy rain and flood events could lead to the rapid filling of private dams as well as overtopping, increasing the risk of dam failure.

We are urging landowners to prepare their dams for forecast heavy rainfall and take safety precautions by:

• inspecting and monitoring your dams before heavy rainfall forecasts or flooding.
• clearing spillways and outlet pipes to help pass flood water.
• repairing any cracks and other defects that will help minimise the potential for any failure.
• making sure you are familiar with your dam emergency response plan.
• You can learn more on the dam safety management page.

Energy

If your home or energy supply has been affected by floodwater, your energy distributor can advise you on how to get back up and running.

For information about energy safety, visit power safety and emergency contacts.

Wildlife

Where flooding occurs, animals will try to move to higher ground.

Motorists should watch out for displaced animals along roadsides.

Wildlife that does not appear to be injured should be left alone as they are likely to be fatigued and stressed, and unnecessary handling will stress them further.

• If you see animals that appear injured or caught in flood water, call the DEECA contact centre on 136 186 or the Wildlife Emergency App.
• The Wildlife Emergency App can be downloaded from Google Play or Apple Store.
• For injured wildlife away from flood waters, contact your local wildlife carer or rescue group or call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300.
• For more information, visit wildlife impacted by Floods.

Pets during emergencies

For tips about pets and emergencies, visit: planning for pets in emergencies on Agriculture Victoria.

Volunteering

GIVIT is a national not-for-profit donation platform that manages offers of:

• donated goods
• services
• volunteering
• funds for disaster and emergency events across Victoria.

GIVIT is the smart way to give to people and communities impacted by this event and is an easy, quick and efficient way of donating directly to people in need without overwhelming charities in the region.

Unrequested donations hinder recovery efforts.

Please do not drop donations in the affected areas. At this crucial time, it is essential not to overwhelm critical services on the ground.

Please check www.GIVIT.org.au over the coming days and weeks to see exactly what is needed.

Page last updated: 19/09/23