What to Do After a Flood in Australia?

About 7% of Australian addresses have some flood risk and about 2.8% have a moderate to extreme risk of flood.

Floods can develop quickly or slowly, and they can affect small areas such as a single suburb, or vast areas across state boundaries.

Floods can happen within a few minutes or hours of heavy rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or when a creek or river breaks its banks, or flooding can occur after several days of heavy rainfall when the ground becomes saturated.

In many parts of Australia, a river or creek can flood weeks after a storm or cyclone hits several thousand kilometers away. PREAIR provides the most effective commercial dehumidifier Australia. Contact us if you need restoration equipment.

Flood risk is not based solely on an area's history of flooding; factors including rainfall, topography, flood mitigation, and changes to the landscape caused by new infrastructure or developments can all cause exposure to flooding.

Flood insurance is available in a variety of formats designed to suit individual circumstances. If you're not sure about your flood risk, contact your local council or floodplain management authority. 

 

What to do when you return to your property after a flood?

1. Safety is the priority - don't do anything that puts anyone at risk.

2. Only return to your property when emergency services give the go-ahead.

3. If water has entered your house, you shouldn't turn on any electrical appliances until an electrician has inspected.

4. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to lodge a claim and seek guidance on the claims process.

5. Don't worry if you can't find your insurance papers. Insurers have electronic records and need only your name and address.

6. You can start cleaning up but, first take pictures or videos of damage to the property and possessions as evidence for your claim.

7. Keep samples of materials and fabrics to show your insurance assessor.

8. Remove water or mud-damaged goods from your property that might pose a health risk, such as saturated carpets and soft furnishings.

9. Make a list of each damaged item, including a detailed description, such as brand, model, and serial number if possible.

10. Store damaged or destroyed items somewhere safe.

11. Speak to your insurer before you attempt or authorize any building work, including emergency repairs, and ask for the insurer’s permission in writing. Unauthorized work may not be covered by your policy.

12. Do not throw away goods that could be salvaged or repaired.

13. Do not drive your vehicle if it has suffered water damage.

 

Urgent financial need

If you need urgent financial assistance, let your insurer know. He may be able to fast-track your claim and make an advance payment within five business days of you demonstrating your urgent financial need. Any advance payment may be deducted from the total value of your claim.

If your claim has been finalized within one month after the disaster, your insurer must give you six months from the finalization date to ask for a review of your claim (for instance, if you think the insurer has not accurately assessed your loss), even if you have signed a release.

 

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