After an emergency

Listen

After an event, such as a fire or flood, your home may not be safe.

One of the following agencies may tell you to leave may tell you to leave your home or property:

For more information, visit: Recovering from an emergency – Emergency Prepare.

Step 1: What you need to do NOW if you can still access your home

Speak to the Officer in Charge; ask them if it is safe to go into the house. If it is, get important items:

Medicine (if not damaged) and prescriptions
Reading glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids
Driver’s Licence, Medicare card, passport
Credit card and bank details
Insurance documents
Laptops, jewellery, photographs, cash
Legal documents, wills, etc
Car keys and house keys.

Note that the Officer-in-Charge will usually notify Council of your situation. This may include organising a Municipal Building Surveyor (MBS) to attend the site and assess building damage.

Step 2: Do NOT discard anything in the house

Do not touch anything on your property or discard anything you think may be damaged until you have spoken to your insurance company
Make a list of all your items that have been damaged and take photos of damaged goods

Step 3: Make ACCOMMODATION arrangements

If you have had to leave your home, you will need emergency accommodation. Make contact with:

Your family or friends to arrange temporary accommodations until you are able to make permanent arrangements
Your insurer will also be able to assist with temporary accommodation
The Red Cross may be able to assist with temporary accommodation if you have no family or friends to stay with or are uninsured.
If you are renting, contact your rental agent or landlord to get assistance with finding another home

Step 4: Contact your INSURANCE provider

Ask for advice on the following:

Emergency Accommodation
Securing your home
Temporary fencing
Roof tarp
Theft or vandalism

Step 5: Contact the Council for ASSISTANCE

If you still require further assistance, you may contact Council on 9298 8000 and ask for the MEMO or Emergency Management Team.

Council may assist by connecting you to other agencies who may offer financial, emotional and material aid.

Need help?

Or call our Customer Services team on 9298 8000.