Protecting your home in severe weather
Before a storm
- Check your roof: Ensure your roof is in good condition.
- Trim trees: Remove branches near your home.
- Check drainage: Clear gutters, downpipes and drains.
- Secure loose items: Bring in outdoor furniture and secure loose objects.
- Secure structures: Secure shades, sails and awnings.
- Protect your vehicle: Park your vehicle undercover.
- Check you're insured: Review home, contents and car insurance.
- Emergency Plan: Identify a safe room and learn how to turn off utilities.
- Connect with your community: Introduce yourself to neighbours.
Bushfire preparedness
- Clear your property: Mow lawns, remove debris and trim trees.
- Check house number is visible: Ensure emergency services can easily identify your home.
- Equipment check: Maintain pumps, generators and water systems.
- First-aid kit: Keep your first-aid kit stocked.
For more information, visit the Queensland Fire Department website.
Protecting your pets
- Secure pets: Keep pets indoors during severe weather.
- Evacuation Plan: Arrange for pet relocation if necessary.
- Safe transport: Use carriers, leashes or harnesses.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are allowed in shelters with proper identification. For more information, visit the Queensland Government – Pet emergency plan webpage.
Flood protection
- Use sandbags strategically around your home or business.
- Consult the State Emergency Service (SES) for guidance on sandbag placement.
- Council may provide sandbags to residents in anticipation of some major weather events and will notify the public of collection details when this occurs.
- Queensland SES offer a useful instructional video on how to sandbag your home and business.
Protecting your business
Natural disasters can damage property, disrupt operations, and hinder access. To prepare your business:
- Review insurance: Ensure adequate coverage.
- Emergency Plan: Develop a plan to address potential disruptions.
- Supply chain resilience: Identify alternative suppliers.
- Staff communication: Have a plan to communicate with staff during emergencies.
- Sandbagging: Use sandbags to protect your business from flooding. Consult the SES for guidance.
We've created a Local Community Disaster Plan template to help businesses prepare for emergencies. The plan provides a framework for businesses to develop their own customised disaster preparedness strategy. Support is available from our Disaster Management Unit (DEMU). If you're interested in creating a Local Community Disaster Plan for your business, please contact DEMU at demu@goldcoast.qld.gov.au