Flash flooding and record flooding now mean more of us are at risk of facing a flood. How to survive floods, when they do arrive, is something we all need to know. Floods can be devastating natural disasters. And they’re happening more often with heavy rains, cyclones, hurricanes, and other ‘big weather’ events. They cause significant damage to homes and communities, and can even be fatal. So in this guide, we cover the essential steps to stay safe during a flood. Whether you’re at home, on the road, or on foot, the tips in this guide have you covered.

How to survive floods: TL;DR

1. Make your own decision to evacuate – don’t wait for the authorities.
2. If there are evacuation orders, follow them immediately.
3. Don’t go into flood waters. This is the number 1 reasons for flood related deaths.
4. Prepare in advance by getting an emergency plan and a Survival kit with essentials such as food, water, and a first aid kit.
5. Turn off gas, electricity, and water if at home.
6. If you can’t get out, go up!
7. If on foot, float on your back with the flood waters, grab onto only exert energy when you have a strong chance of swimming to safety.
8. If in your car, get on the roof and call for help.

Why do you need to know how to survive floods?

Of all the things I thought I needed to know, how to survive a flood was not one of them. Yet in October 2022, my time came.

As flooding moved from NSW, to Victoria, to Tasmania and then South Australia and WA thousands of Aussies were caught in flooding. Places that had not flooded in 50 years went were inundated. A large swathe of Australia was underwater, including most of my backyard and almost my house one fateful October night.

We did have to drive through flood waters to get to high ground that night. It was scary as hell.

And here’s some worse news if that wasn’t bad enough. According to CSIRO, flooding is becoming more common and severe as the climate warms.

With more us likely to face floods in our lifetime, it more important than ever that we know both how to prepare for floods and how to survive a flood.

How to survive floods at home

Flood survivor stories tell of the shock of waking up in waste deep water with little warning. Luckily, that’s never happened to us. But the panic would be instant.

We did have to evacuate flood waters in Tasmania in October 2022. We got out safely. Here’s what we learned, as well as some expert tips on how to survive a flood at home, if you find yourself caught there:

• If your local roads are easily inundated (low-lying), move your car(s) to higher ground early. This will help if you need to evacuate.
• Put on your rain slick and gum boots.
• Grab your Flood Emergency kit and have it ready to go – when it’s time to evacuate the chances are you’ll need to move in a hurry.
• Lift up things inside your home. Especially your valuables.
• Pick a water level at which you will evacuate. Mark water levels as they rise. If the water hits your evacuation point – stick to your evacuation plan.

When flooding comes (and you can’t evacuate):

• Grab your mobile phone, Flood Emergency kit, family and pets.
• Move to the highest point in your home.
• Move higher with flood levels. Go upstairs if you can. Then onto your roof.
• Call the SES for rescue. Call your emergency contacts to alert them.

If you are stuck on your roof for any period of time waiting for emergency services, the contents of your Go Bag will come in very handy.

You’ll also need it when you arrive at the evacuation shelter (as this is where the SES will likely take you). If you’re keen to get a Go Bag together, check out our ‘Essential Go Bag Checklist for Australia 2023′. There’s even a free Go Bag list in pdf to help you get packing.

And here’s why it’s important to pack a survival kit, if you’re doubting the benefits.

How to survive a flood in your car

Caught in your car in flood waters is a life-threatening place to be. According to the experts from the ABC’s BIG Weather program, here’s how to survive a flood if your car starts filling with flood water:

• Take off your seat belt and roll down the windows immediately. The water may stop you from opening the door.
• Be sure to open electronic windows before the car is inundated or they won’t work.
• Use the headreast or breakglass hammer in your Car Emergency Kit to smash the window open if your car electronics are dead.
• Climb out of the car window and sit in the window space (legs inside).
• Crawl onto the roof.
• Call the SES or 000 and stay on the roof if possible.

How to survive a flood on foot

You’re in a deadly situation if you find yourself washed away in flood waters. According the the ABC’s Big Weather program experts, here’s how to to survive a flood on foot:

• Don’t panic! Lay flat on your back. Lift your feet up close to the surface to avoid debris. Use your feet to keep sharp objects away from you as you’re washed along.
• Never try to stand up. This is when your feet get trapped and you can be pulled under.
• Time your breath with the waves.
• Float with the water until you reach a place of still water. Don’t spend all of your energy fighting to get to the bank in rough waters. Spend it staying afloat.
• Try to spot a floatation device or sturdy structure or grab onto one if it pass you by in the water.
• Swim for the bank / a tree or other structure when you reach still water and shout for help.

How to survive a flood – dos and don’ts!

Do:

• Check the local weather (BOM) app and follow official warnings on media and social media (BOM, SES, State Government, Local Council).
• Make a decision to evacuate early. You don’t have to wait for evacuation orders.
• Follow evacuation orders immediately.
• Grab your Emergency Go Bag or Flood Emergency Kit before you do evacuate.
• Check your evacuation route is safe. Stick to the route as you evacuate.
• Stay out of flood waters.

Don’t:

• Drive into flood waters. ‘If its flooded, floor it’ is a dumb plan. Just 15cm of water can make your car float. Once that happens, it’s unrecoverable. If it’s flooded, forget it.
• Wade into flood waters. The water is always moving faster than it looks. Dangerous debris might be below the surface. It can also harbour chemicals and bacteria.
• Try to surf or paddle the drains in a flood.
• Go site-seeing in a flood.
• Wait for the SES or authorities to door-knock your home or to tell you to act.
• Crawl into your roof cavity in a flood. You may be fatally trapped there if flood waters are worse than predicted.

Conclusion

Floods can be serious and life-threatening. And more of us are coming face-to-face with flooding. If you’re in a flood prone area, it make sure to prepare in advance. Get an emergency plan and a Go Bag ready now. Stay informed of flood warnings on local radio, television, or online. Follow evacuation orders immediately. If you can’t evacuate, or get caught in a flash flood unexpectedly, get to high ground or find a solid, sturdy structure. Don’t drive or walk into flood waters. If you do end up stuck in your car get onto the roof and call for help. Knowing what to do and being prepared can make all the difference in a flood survival situation.