Keep informed and plan ahead to stay safe from extreme weather this summer
Summer is a beautiful time in Australia, whether you’re spending time at the beach or out experiencing nature.
Unfortunately, over this festive season, many Australians have been impacted by extreme weather events, such as extreme heat, fires and floods, and there is the chance of more in the coming weeks. So, watch out for any risks and know what to do if you encounter any extreme weather.
Staying safe
Keep informed
It is essential you have the right information to keep safe. Stay up to date with any current warnings about dangerous weather event conditions using the sites below.
- The VicEmergency and Queensland Government Emergency Services and Safety websites feature maps with the most current information, incidents and warnings.
- The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provides the most current weather information, including incidents and flood warnings for both VIC and QLD.
- The State Emergency Service (SES) hosts maps of affected regions and evacuation warnings for VIC and QLD, plus FAQs about what you should do to request SES help in emergency situations.
- Services Australia provides specific information about financial support you may be eligible for.
- You can also tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations for updates.
Plan ahead
- The VicEmergency website provides further advice on how to prepare for fire dangers, plus what the Australian Fire Danger Ratings represent – remember the more dangerous the conditions, the greater the impact will be if a fire starts. These ratings are designed to be easy to understand and provide clear advice about actions to take, with a Catastrophic rating advising you to leave bushfire risk areas for your survival. On a Catastrophic day, leaving high-risk bushfire areas the night before or early in the morning is the safest option.
- The SES has practical information about what to do to be flood-ready and how they can help.
If you need help from the SES in either state, call 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, always call Triple Zero (000) first.
What to do 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 about how to protect yourself and your family from possible injury, illness or disease, and the Queensland Government site also features information on returning home after a natural disaster.
You should also:
- Call the SES 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 and financial support information, contact your local council, or go to the VicEmergency Relief and Recovery page or the Queensland Government Disaster Recovery Support webpage for details.
How Deakin can help
Deakin is committed to supporting all students affected by natural disasters or extreme weather.
If you or your family have been impacted by extreme weather events, there is a variety of assistance available, including financial assistance, replacement of lost essentials (books, laptops etc), flexibility with study deadlines and counselling support.
Our Natural Disaster Assistant Packages include a personal combination of support services tailored to your needs. If you have been affected by a recent natural disaster, learn more and apply now.
If you need further, specific help, please contact one or more of the following services:
- 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.
Thank you
We say an enormous thank you to the firefighters, emergency service workers and many volunteers who have risked their lives to protect people, homes and land and continue to do so.