Flash floods develop in minutes. Don't get caught unprepared.

Just 60cm (knee-deep) of flowing water can lift and sweep away most vehicles, including 4WDs and SUVs. Once a car starts floating, you lose all control—the current will carry it downstream, potentially rolling it over or submerging it. At 30cm of fast-flowing water, you'll lose traction and your engine may stall. Never attempt to cross flooded roads, even if it looks shallow.

A Flood Watch means flooding is possible within 24-48 hours based on forecast rainfall or upstream conditions. A Flood Warning means flooding is happening or imminent—water levels are rising or have exceeded thresholds. Watches give you time to prepare; warnings mean you need to act now. Always treat both seriously and monitor updates.

No. Floodwater is highly contaminated with sewage, chemicals, animal waste, and industrial pollutants. It can also contain sharp debris, broken glass, and hidden hazards like open manholes or damaged roads. Just 15cm of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet. Walking through floodwater risks drowning, infection, injury from debris, and diseases like leptospirosis. Stay out of floodwater completely.

Flash floods can recede in hours, but riverine flooding can last days or weeks. The 2022 Brisbane floods took over a week for water to fully recede from some areas. Even after visible water disappears, ground saturation remains high and additional rainfall can cause renewed flooding. Roads may be damaged and unsafe for days after water recedes. Never return home until authorities declare it safe.

Move to the highest level of the building immediately. If you have a multi-story home, go to the upper floor. In a single-story home, climb into the roof cavity if possible. Call 000 and report your situation, providing your exact address. Do not enter floodwater—wait for rescue. Bring your emergency kit, phone, and a torch. Signal for help from windows or roof if safe. Never attempt to swim through floodwater to escape.

Yes. Turn off electricity at the main switchboard before evacuating if you have time to do so safely. Water and electricity are a lethal combination—even small amounts of water can cause electrocution if power is on. If floodwater has already entered your home, do not touch electrical switches or appliances. After flooding, have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical system before restoring power.

Not unless authorities confirm it's safe. Flooding often contaminates water treatment plants and distribution pipes with sewage and pollutants. During flood events, councils issue boil water alerts. Boil tap water for at least 1 minute before drinking, or use bottled water from your emergency kit. After flooding, wait for official all-clear before resuming normal tap water use.

Flash floods can develop in less than one hour with minimal warning. Some areas may get 30-60 minutes notice from BOM warnings, but in severe thunderstorms, water can rise in minutes. This is why preparation before wet season is critical—you won't have time to gather supplies when flash flooding begins. If you see rapid water rise or receive a flash flood warning, evacuate immediately. Don't wait to see how bad it gets.

Driving through floodwater. More than half of all flood deaths occur in vehicles. People underestimate water depth and speed, thinking they can cross safely. The road may be washed away underneath, water can enter the engine causing it to stall, or the current can sweep the vehicle away. "If it's flooded, forget it" isn't just a slogan—it's life-saving advice. Always turn around and find an alternate route, even if it adds hours to your journey.

Store original documents (birth certificates, passports, property titles, insurance policies) in waterproof containers or sealed plastic bags at the highest point in your home. Better yet, create digital copies and store them in cloud storage. Keep waterproof document bags in your emergency kit for evacuation. Consider a waterproof safe for irreplaceable documents. After flooding, wet documents can sometimes be salvaged by professionals, but prevention is far better.

A "1-in-100 year flood" means there's a 1% chance of that flood level occurring in any given year—it doesn't mean it only happens once per century. You could experience multiple such events in a decade (as Southeast Queensland did in 2011 and 2022). This is a statistical probability, not a prediction. Annual flooding refers to regular, expected flooding that occurs most years, typically during wet season. Both require preparation, but major flood events cause far more damage.