Steps to take immediately after a disaster
Returning to normality after a disaster may be quick, or difficult and prolonged.
Following an event, the Local Disaster Management Group will convene its Local Recovery Group to:
- ensure people's wellbeing
- rebuild essential infrastructure
- help local economic recovery
- rehabilitate the natural environment.
Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful. This section offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community and your life back to normal.
What to do after an event
Venturing outside or returning home after a disaster has occurred can be both physically and mentally challenging. Knowing what you can expect to see and deal with may help you adjust to the aftermath.
Things you can expect following an event
- Debris – and lots of it
- Possible damage to your home and/or contents
- Possible fallen power lines
- Road closures
- Emergency services and response groups working to assess and repair damage and provide assistance to the community (based on priority of greatest need)
- Possible loss of power and telecommunications
- Limited or no access to essential services, local businesses and supplies
- If you have evacuated, it may be some time before Emergency Services declare it safe for you to return home
- Displaced animals.
What to do after an event
After an event, it is essential to ensure the safety of yourself and your family before commencing clean-up or trying to assist others. Here are some tips for keeping you and your family safe.
- Continue to listen for weather warnings and advice.
- Check to see if neighbours, especially those with vulnerabilities, require assistance. Help injured or trapped neighbours. This will help relieve the strain on emergency services, who will be stretched to the limit. If the situation is life threatening, call '000'.
- Be wary of fallen power lines and notify Ergon Energy. Treat all power lines as live and keep your distance.
- If there is a sewage overflow on your property, notify the council.
- Take pictures of the damage to your home for evidence in insurance claims.
- If the power has been out for some time, perishable food may have started to go off. Throw out any food that came into contact with floodwater.
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Arrange to have one family member or friend outside of the impacted area call others to let them know of your situation. Demands on the telephone network for emergency calls will be high and parts of the system may be damaged.
- Do not use electrical appliances which have been wet until they are checked for safety.
- If your home has become uninhabitable due to damage, contact your local Council to identify where you can seek further assistance.
- For public health advice about any of the following, refer to the public health advice for disaster management page of the Queensland Government website.
- Food safety
- Drinking water quality
- Cleaning up safely
- Asbestos management
- For information about Council's waste management services, refer to Waste & Recycling. Any updates to services impacted by a disaster will be provided on the Southern Downs Regional Council page on Facebook.
Where can I get assistance?
Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business or personal property.
Recognise that recovery takes time, and it is okay to ask for help.
Following a disaster, a range of welfare and support services will be made available to affected members of the community, which may include the following.
| Type of Assistance |
Key Contacts |
| Assistance with minor damage repairs and/or clean-up – for members of the community, who have been impacted by the event. |
- For assistance with non-life-threatening situations (e.g. help with a damaged roof, rising flood water, or storm damage) - phone the SES on 132 500.
- For assistance with a life-threatening situation, phone 000 (triple zero) immediately.
|
| Council Assistance to Clean Roofs/Tanks in Bushfire Impacted Areas |
Fact Sheet (PDF 245.8KB) |
Crisis counselling – to assist those experiencing issues with disaster-related stress.
|
- Lifeline – Phone 13 11 14 or log onto the Lifeline website.
- Farmer to Lifeline Farmer - 1800 936 229 (business hours)
- Australian Red Cross – Visit the Australian Red Cross website for a series of resources to help people recover from the effects of a disaster.
|
| Establishment of Recovery Centres – to provide easy access to essential information and a range of support services to help people affected by the event. |
This process is managed by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, who will advise the community as these centres are established.
Visit the disaster support and recovery page of the Queensland Government website for more information.
|
Financial assistance – You may require assistance in submitting claims through your insurance provider or (if eligible) in applying for a personal hardship assistance payment through the State Government.
|
For more information, visit the eligibility for state grants and how to applypage of the Queensland Government website. |
| Queensland DPI Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey – The Department of Primary Industries collects this information to inform the process for activation of disaster recovery assistance. |
Natural Disaster Impact Survey
This survey does not constitute an application for assistance – the purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of the extent of the recent natural disaster affecting your area. |
How can I help?
Your first step should be to check in with your neighbours and try to assist them where you can.
If you have already checked in with your neighbours and still wish to help with the disaster recovery, there are several organisations you may contact to offer further assistance.
Donations
GIVIT - GIVIT is a national not-for-profit organisation connecting those who have with those who need, in a private and safe way. GIVIT matches donation offers with identified requests from a storm, fire, flood or cyclone affected region, thereby eliminating the need for organisations to store and sort unexpected donations.
Volunteering
Australian Red Cross – Australian Red Cross is a leading humanitarian aid and community service organisation, which is committed to supporting and empowering people and communities in times of vulnerability.
Rural Fire Service – The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is a state-run volunteer organisation designed to help the Queensland community by undertaking fire prevention activities, responding to the outbreak of fires within the local community and assisting in times of disaster.
State Emergency Service – The State Emergency Service (SES) is a state-run volunteer organisation designed to help the Queensland community in times of emergencies and disasters. Residents who wish to join the local SES Unit should contact the SES on 132 500.
Become an Evac Centre Reservist - Whether a council-run evacuation centre, or a local community hall opened up in an emergency - having enough trained members is vital to keep the place running until the danger passes. Register your interest and be kept informed of upcoming training.