Victoria’s continuing flood emergency
Many Victorian residents are currently dealing with the traumatic impacts of extreme weather and flooding throughout the state. With more heavy rainfall predicted later this week, state emergency services are urging Victorians to be prepared and stay alert ahead of the continuing flood risks.
If you’re currently impacted by this extreme weather event, it’s vital you know what to do. You can prepare for potential emergencies by having enough supplies on hand to last for up to 72 hours. It’s also a good idea set up a support network with friends, family, neighbours and your local council.
Stay informed
To stay up to date with weather warnings and other information, regularly monitor the following sites:
- Get the latest information from the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), and check their Flood guides if you’re in a flood-prone or high-alert location.
- If you need to travel by road, check the VicTraffic website before you leave home. Several roads have been heavily impacted by flooding.
- The VicEmergency website hosts maps of affected regions and evacuation warnings for all regions in Victoria.
- The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) provides the most current weather information, including incidents and flood warnings for Victoria.
Stay safe
VICSES has practical information about what to do to be flood-ready and how they can help, including:
- providing flood advice
- protecting essential services
- helping to protect properties
- rescuing people from floodwater
- advising of an evacuation.
If you need help from VICSES, call 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, always call Triple Zero (000) first.
After an emergency
After immediate life-threatening conditions pass, you must still take care as dangerous conditions may remain, and you may not be able to immediately return home. The Victorian Department of Health has useful information in multiple languages about how to protect yourself and your family from possible injury, illness or disease.
You should also:
- Call VICSES on 132 500 for emergency assistance in the event of flooding, storms, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis.
- If your property is damaged, contact your insurer as soon as possible to lodge a claim. Visit your insurer’s website or the Insurance Council of Australia Disasters website for more information.
- For recovery information, contact your local council, go to the VicEmergency Relief and Recovery page or call the VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226)
- Explore financial support (and, in some cases, build support). Emergency relief assistance payments of up to $560 per adult and $280 per child (up to a maximum of $1960 per eligible family) are currently available for people impacted by flooding in Victoria (October 2022). Apply online or access information in multiple languages.
How Deakin can help
Deakin is committed to supporting all students and staff affected by natural disasters.
If you or your family has been impacted by this extreme weather event, we can provide a variety of assistance, including financial help, replacement of lost essentials (such as books and laptops), flexibility with study deadlines and counselling support.
Our Natural Disaster Assistance Packages include a personal combination of support services tailored to your needs – learn more and apply now.
If you need further specific help, here’s what to do:
- Explore the range of financial assistance available.
- If you can’t get to classes or need extra time for an assignment or assessment, please contact your unit chair as soon as you’re able.
- If you can’t complete an assessment task, check the eligibility and application process for special consideration.
- Make use of our student health and wellbeing services – our counsellors provide free and confidential psychological support, and our multifaith chaplains offer compassionate support to all students (you don’t have to be religious).
- Affected international students are encouraged to seek advice and support from a Student Adviser by contacting Student Central.
How we can all help
We say an enormous thank you to the brave emergency service workers and many volunteers who risk their lives to protect people, homes and land.
You can help to make a difference – contribute to the Victorian storm and flood recovery by donating to the Red Cross.