Flood preparedness

Every year, despite the beneficial environmental impacts they create, floods impose substantial economic, social and environmental costs on Australian communities through:

direct damage to residential, commercial, educational, recreational, cultural and industrial buildings
damage to infrastructure
damage to stock, equipment and facilities (for example farm animals machinery, commercial stock and records and other contents of buildings)
indirect losses due to disruption of economic activity, both in areas which are inundated and in areas which are isolated
stress and anxiety in those affected by flooding
injury and death
polluted water supplies
damage to wildlife habitats

The central purpose of flood preparedness is the building of community resilience against the flood risk. This involves the agencies and organisations charged with the management of flooding, but also the people who live, work or have other interests in flood-prone areas. For flood preparatory initiatives to be effective, agencies, organisations and people must be engaged. Procedures must be developed to address the actions which will be carried out by specified agencies and organisations, but they should also deal with building the readiness and ability of people in flood-prone communities to manage their own interests when flooding occurs.

This information was taken from the “Flood Preparedness” Manual, which was prepared by the Attorney-General’s Department. To view the whole document in PDF format, please click on the “Flood Preparedness Manual” link in the Other Government Services box.