Flood emergencies and safety
Storms with heavy rainfall can happen anywhere, at any point during the year. They are more common in Victoria from October to May, but it’s important to be prepared all year round. The Mildura municipality has experienced several significant storm events over the last several years which have resulted in flash flooding and damage to private property and community assets.
Flood Emergencies
The Victoria State Emergency Service VICSES is the lead agency during a flood event.
Mildura Rural City Council’s main roles in a flood event are:
- Provide relief and recovery services to affected residents, including establishing Relief Centres when requested by emergency services. SES remains the primary agency for flood damage responses.
- Manage Council-owned community assets and Council-managed land.
- Manage issues involving stormwater drainage.
- Access and repairs to local roads, including roads that are under water. The Department of Transport is responsible for major arterial roads and highways.
- Provide support to the lead response agency and other emergency services when requested.
To contact Mildura Rural City Council call 03 5018 8100.
What to do if flooding occurs
- Avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. If you must enter floodwaters, wear solid shoes, not thongs or bare feet and check the depth with a stick
- Stay away from drains and water that is more than knee height
- Floodwaters may contain sewage. Take appropriate precautions when cleaning up floodwater
- Stay away from fallen power lines – electrical current passes easily through water
- If your car stalls in rising floodwater, abandon it immediately and take shelter
- Be aware than animals such as spiders and snakes may enter your house during a flood to try and find dryer ground
- Wait for rescuers to come for you, avoid swimming in floodwaters
- If outdoors, climb to higher ground and stay there
- Keep listening to your local ABC radio station for updates
- Keep in contact with your neighbours where possible
- Be prepared to leave early if necessary
- For a flood or storm emergency contact the SES on 132 500
- When returning to your home following a flood, take precautions to reduce the chance of illness, disease or injury.
- Keep power off in your home until a licensed electrician has inspected your system to ensure it is safe
Flooding of horticulture properties
Getting help
- You can call the SES on 132 500 from anywhere in Victoria for flood and storm emergency assistance
- Centrelink on 132 850 for information on social security payments and services
- Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 650 172 for Crisis and Emergency assistance
- Salvation Army on 13 72 58 for Disaster Recovery Assistance
- VicRoads on 131 870 for traffic hazards and road closures for your area
What to do to reduce the impact of flooding
Before:
- Check your household emergency plan: Refer to the SES website FloodSafe
- If it is safe to do so, check your gutters, down pipes and drains are not blocked.
During:
- Stay indoors and away from windows
- If outdoors, shelter away from drains and gutters
- Be prepared for power outages
- Floodwater is dangerous – never drive, walk or ride through floodwater
- Floodwater can be toxic – never play or swim in floodwater
- For any life threatening emergencies call 000
- For non-life-threatening emergencies call the SES on 132 500
After:
- Discourage people, especially children, from playing around high water and storm drains
- Check your home and property for damage
- Keep clear of damaged buildings, power lines and trees
- Be aware of road hazards, such as floodwater, debris and damaged roads
- Do not drive through affected areas unless it is absolutely necessary
There are number of services, grants and programs available to help residents and businesses impacted by riverine flood waters.
Business, Farming and Residential Support
Support for farmers
Farm Household Allowance
Farmers in financial hardship may be eligible for the Australian Government’s (FHA), a fortnightly payment available for up to 4 years in a specific 10-year period.
Concessional loans
Farmers may be able to access low-interest loans through the Australian Government’s (RIC). A RIC loan is a partnership between the farm business, a commercial lender and the Regional Investment Corporation. Available loans
Rural Aid - Counselling for farmers and their families
Free of charge, confidential support for farmers, family members and employees. You can connect over the phone or in person with 4 counsellors available across Victoria.
Detailed breakdown of services is not publicly available. Call 1300 175 594 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au/counsellors for more information.
National Centre for Farmer Health
National Centre for Farmer Health supports primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops have been damaged or lost through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing.
See farmerhealth.org.au/ for more details.
Financial Counselling
Mallee Family Care: Free locally-based financial counselling service, offering confidential advice, information, support and advocacy for people experiencing financial difficulty, including those in immediate crisis as a result of the flood event.
Appointments with financial counsellors can be made by calling (03) 5023 5966 or emailing mfc@malleefamilycare.com.au.
Support is available in Mildura and the wider Mallee region, including providing short and long-term solutions, determining ongoing needs and referrals to other support services.
Financial Counselling Victoria: In person or phone-based support for sole traders, business partners, personal and family finances and dealing with financial hardship and debt. Visit https://fcvic.org.au/find-a-financial-counsellor/ to find your nearest service.
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Victoria West: Rural Financial Counselling Services (Vic West) are available to assist primary producers to complete applications for grants. Visit https://RFCSVictoriaWest.com.au or call 1300 735 578.
National Debt Helpline: For immediate assistance and/or to be connected to your nearest service contact 1800 007 007.
Small Business Debt Helpline
National support line staffed by specialist small business financial counsellors – immediate assistance and referral for ongoing support. Call 1800 413 828.
Disaster Legal Help Victoria
Call the Disaster Legal Help Victoria hotline on 1800 113 432 for free information and advice relating to floods, including:
- Tenancy
- Insurance
- Property damage
- Parenting arrangements
- Bail
Disaster Legal Help Victoria can also assist you in finding a lawyer.
Available weekdays 8am-6pm.
Utility Relief Grant Scheme
The Dept. of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH) Utility Relief Grant Scheme provides relief for paying an overdue utility bill (gas, electricity, water) due to temporary crisis.
You can apply for the grant if you are an eligible concession card holder (Pensioner, Health Care, VA Gold), or part of a low-income household. The grant is applicable for both renters and homeowners.
You must show that you have no way of paying the account without assistance, and meet one of the following criteria:
- You or someone in your household is experiencing family violence
- Recent decrease in income (eg. lost job)
- High unexpected cost for essential items
- Cost of shelter is more than 30% of household income
If you are eligible, you can receive a maximum of $650 on each utility type within a 2-year period (or $1300 for households with a single source of energy eg. electricity only). Applications are made directly to utility company/supplier.
For more information visit: services.dffh.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme or call 1800 658 521
Understanding our Urban Stormwater Drainage System