The best thing you and your family can do is to be prepared.

Make a plan and talk about it with your whole family. Create an “Emergency survival kit” and a “Get away kit” for your home.

If you and your family are OK following an event, please tie something GREEN to your letterbox to let emergency responders know.

If you and your family SELF-EVACUATE from your homes, please leave a NOTE with your contact details in your letterbox.

Download a copy of the ERG Wallchart for your fridge, to help guide you in different kinds of emergencies.

  • What to expect in a storm

    • Prepare for evacuation if required
    • Expect:
      • Strong winds
      • Severe rain
      • Slips, debris and possible closure of Bethell's road
      • Possible flooding
      • Trees falling
      • Power cut
      • Telephone outage
      • Bethells road may be blocked - check for evacuation route

    Things to do before

    • Move, tie down or secure anything loose outside.
    • Close all windows and doors.
    • Prepare for power cut.
    • Check and secure food and water supplies.
    • Check radio & TV broadcasts for advice.
    • Check neighbours are aware of storm warning.

    Things to do during

    • Stay indoors.
    • Keep an eye on possible threats – trees falling and flooding / slips.
    • Check radio broadcasts for advice.
    • Do not drive unless emergency.
    • Use phone for emergencies only.

    Things to do after

    • Check food and water supplies.
    • Check radio broadcasts.
    • Check in with neighbours.
    • If your house is unsafe evacuate to a local CD Emergency Centre or other safe location.
    • Remember to tell someone where you are going or leave a note.

  • What to expect in a flood

    • Prepare for evacuation if required
    • Expect:
      • Slips / possible closure of Bethell's road
      • Low areas around river, beach and wetland inundated
      • with water.
      • Floating debris
      • Power cut
      • Bethells road may be blocked - check for evacuation route

    Things to do before

    • Prepare for power cut.
    • Check food and water supplies.
    • Turn off water feeds to your water tank to prevent contamination by flood water.
    • Lift electronics and valuables to higher places in house.
    • Check neighbours are aware of flood warning.

    Things to do during

    • Stay indoors if safe until water recedes.
    • Turn off your mains power if water enters house.

    Things to do after

    • Make sure your water supply is not contaminated by flood water.
    • Check in with neighbours.
    • If your house is unsafe evacuate to a local CD Emergency Centre or other safe location.
    • Remember to tell someone where you are going or leave a note.

  • What to expect in a tsunami

    • Immediate Evacuation
    • Expect:
      • Large wave or water surge from beach.
      • Low areas around river and beach inundated with water.
      • Floating debris
      • Flooding of wetland
      • Bethells road may be blocked - check for evacuation route

    Things to do before

    • If you feel a large earthquake GO IMMEDIATELY to higher ground. DO NOT WAIT for Sirens or an Official Alert
    • If a Tsunami warning has been issued prepare to move to higher ground.
    • Check radio & TV broadcasts for advice.

    Things to do during

    • Go to higher ground.
    • Stay at higher ground until all clear is given, this may be several hours.
    • Check radio broadcasts for advice.
    • DO NOT GO TO THE BEACH

    Things to do after

    • Check your water supply is not contaminated by flood water.
    • If your house is unsafe evacuate to a local CD Emergency Centre or other safe location.
    • Remember to tell someone where you are going or leave a note

  • What to expect in an earthquake

    • Prepare for evacuation if required
    • Expect:
      • Unsecured items around house will move / fall.
      • Possible building collapses.
      • Possible Tsunami
      • Power cut
      • Slips / possible closure of Bethell's road
      • Bethells road may be blocked - check for evacuation route

    Things to do before

    • If you feel a large earthquake GO IMMEDIATELY to higher ground.
    • DO NOT WAIT for Sirens or an Official Alert.
    • If you are inside: Prepare to Duck – cover- hold
    • If you are outside: Seek clear space away from falling objects and power lines.

    Things to do during

    • Duck – Cover – Hold
    • If large earthquake GO IMMEDIATELY to higher ground.
    • If you are in a safe location, stay there.
    • Expect aftershocks: A large Earthquake is often followed by another larger or similar size quake.
    • Do not approach fallen power lines.
    • Use phone for emergencies only.
    • Check radio broadcasts.

    Things to do after

    • Check and secure supplies of food and water.
    • Check radio broadcasts.
    • Check in with neighbours.
    • If your house is unsafe evacuate to a local CD
    • Emergency Centre or other safe location.
    • Remember to tell someone where you are going or leave a note.

  • What to expect in a volcanic eruption

    • Prepare for evacuation if required
    • Expect:
      • Ash clouds in air
      • Ash cover outside
      • Earthquakes
      • Possible Tsunami
      • Power cut
      • Telephone outage
      • Bethells road may be blocked - check for evacuation route

    Things to do before

    • Disconnect your water tank from your roof (ash will poison your water)
      • Close feed pipes. Cut, cover or break pipe if necessary.
    • Prepare for power cut.
    • Check food and water supplies.
    • Close all windows and doors. Seal with tape if possible.
    • Check radio & TV broadcasts for advice.
    • Check neighbours are aware of volcano warning.

    Things to do during

    • Stay inside.
    • Do not drive unless emergency.
    • Use phone for emergencies only.
    • Use breathing filter mask or cloth over mouth and nose if outside.
    • Check radio & TV broadcasts for advice.

    Things to do after

    • Check and secure supplies of food and water.
    • Check radio broadcasts.
    • Check in with neighbours.
    • If your house is unsafe evacuate to a local CD Emergency Centre or other safe location.
    • Remember to tell someone where you are going or leave a note.

     

  • What to expect in a wildfire (forest or bush fire)

    • Prepare for evacuation if required
    • Expect:
      • Possible Smoke.
      • Fast changes in direction or speed of fire.
      • Bethells road may be blocked - check for evacuation route

    Things to do before

    • If you see an uncontrolled fire call 111 and report it.
    • Alert neighbours.
    • Shut house.
    • Gather pets and people.
    • Prepare a “go bag” for evacuation.
    • Fires move uphill and with the wind direction. If in possible path of fire move immediately.
    • Leave a note in your letterbox with contact details for fire crews.

    Things to do during

    • Stay alert, Fire situations change quickly.
    • If smoke is coming towards you, so is the fire.
    • To escape move SIDEWAYS (perpendicular) across the direction of the fire. Do not head towards the fire, or directly away from it. A fire can move much faster than you and may catch you.
    • If escaping take a backpack and wet towel. Bring water.
    • Cover mouth and nose with dust mask or wet cloth to avoid inhaling smoke.

    Things to do after

    • Check in with neighbours.
    • If your house is unsafe evacuate to a local CD Emergency Centre or other safe location.
    • Tell someone where you are going or leave a note.
    • Clean up: wear dust masks and gloves. Breathing ash is dangerous.
    • Seek advice for clean up of hazardous materials.

  • What to expect in an epidemic

    • Prepare to stay home for a long time.
    • Expect:
      • Advice from the media.
      • Avoid public contact.
      • Some constraints in freedom of movement.
      • Hospitals and medical centres to be over-run and full.
      • PLEASE ISOLATE YOURSELF AND FAMILY FROM PERSONAL CONTACTS – STAY AT HOME.
      • YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN …THE ERG WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH YOU AND ORGANISE SUPPLIES

    Things to do before

    • Check radio & TV for advice.
    • Avoid close contact with people.
    • Good hygiene. Wash hands, stay clean.
    • Gather food and water supplies.
    • Gather medical supplies, paracetamol & ibuprofen.
    • Authorities may be slow to act. The earlier you react the safer you will be.

    Things to do during

    • Check radio & TV for advice.
    • Avoid close contact with people.
    • Stay home.
    • Schools and many businesses will be closed.
    • Tell someone if you feel unwell. Your honesty may save lives.
    • Isolate sick people and keep them hydrated.
    • Keep sick areas well ventilated.

    Things to do after

    • Check radio & TV for advice.
    • Check in with neighbours by phone.
    • The “all clear” will be a slow process.
    • Keep good hygiene practices.