Flood clean-up assistance and advice

Be careful around electricity, water and debris

• Do not go near fallen power lines, and take extra care around all electrical appliances and your switchboard.
• Floodwater and debris may be contaminated with sewage or other dangerous substances. Minimise contact with floodwater and wear protective clothing during clean up.
• Avoid swimming in rivers, lagoons, estuaries and beaches if they are impacted. Flood water will have washed pollutants from the streets into the storm-water system.

Protect yourself from disease

• Always wear a nose and mouth guard or dust mask when collecting and removing rotting material including spoiled food or vegetation.
• Use personal protective equipment, including gloves, covered shoes or boots and full-length clothing to cover your arms and legs.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after participating in clean-up activities.
• If using disinfectants or other cleaners, follow safety advice on labels and do not touch your face (especially your eyes).
• If your house was built before 1987, it is likely to contain asbestos.  Find out what asbestos looks like and what to do if you suspect you have asbestos waste to be cleaned up. Keep asbestos waste separated from other waste. Do not put it in red bins or skip bins, and do not leave it on a street kerb to be picked up. Do not use a high pressure water cleaner.
• All wounds other than clean, minor cuts are considered a risk for tetanus. Seek medical advice for dirty wounds or wounds where the skin has been penetrated, such as with a rose thorn or rusty nail. First aid treatment should always include cleaning the wound and using an antiseptic.
• Avoid mosquito bites by covering up while outside. Wear loose, light-coloured clothing and covered footwear. Avoiding being outdoors at dawn and dusk. Apply insect repellent on exposed skin that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Be wary around buildings

• Do not enter damaged buildings or structures, unless deemed safe to do so by authorities.
• Take great care around electricity infrastructure – follow the SES Electricity Safety Tips.
• Solar panels produce electricity even when power has been cut and the panels turned off at the switchboard. Read the Master Electricians Australia (MEA) information on how to be safe around solar panels. Call the free MEA hotline on 1300 889 198 to find local electricians to make solar panels safe.
• Be alert to snakes, spiders, rats and other wildlife that may have taken refuge in the building, structure or furniture. 
• Wall and floor cavities should be checked for mud, debris and floodwater. If items are not completely dry, mould or mildew may develop.

• Do not approach fallen power lines. If you are concerned call 132 080 immediately for advice and assistance. Essential Energy provides a safety checklist with tips to help keep you safe.

Look after your mental health

Please seek face-to-face emotional and trauma support after a flood through the services in these NSW Health fact sheets:

• Accessing mental health services in NSW
• Accessing mental health services in northern NSW
• Accessing mental health services in mid-north coast of NSW

Help with flood debris on private land

Tenants and landowners can apply for help with clean up of debris from storms and floods from 2021 and 2022.

Some of the eligible items include asbestos, cement, timber, fencing and furniture. The program does not assist with carcasses.  For animal and agricultural support, call the Agriculture and Animal Emergency Services hotline on 1800 814 647

Find out more about the program and how to apply on the Service NSW website.

Waste levy waived

All flood-impacted households and businesses will receive clean-up assistance – including the removal of debris, mud and green waste – regardless of insurance status.

Residents can take flood-affected household items to their local landfill. The waste levy is waived in local government areas subject to natural disaster declaration.

Cleaning up waterways

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has engaged contractors to clean up shorelines and rivers. They will also use aerial surveys to identify debris that needs to be cleared from affected areas.

For assistance with cleaning up pollution caused by the floods on a local beach or river, contact the Environment Line on 131 555 or email info@epa.nsw.gov.au

Separate waste into these groups:

• food waste (use your red lid bin first).  If the bin is full, put food waste in a container on the curb side)
• hard bulk waste (furniture, carpets, mattresses)
• green waste (vegetation)
• scrap metal (whitegoods and e-waste)
• hazardous materials (gas bottles, paint, pool chemicals, unlabelled drums).

After heavy rain or flooding you may find mould in your home. Read about mould and your health.

Contact your insurance company directly. Take plenty of photos of any property and contents damage before removing and disposing of items. Read our insurance and legal support in a disaster guidance.

Read the Australian Red Cross guide to cleaning up.

If you see a potentially serious environmental incident, please contact the Environment Line on 131 555 or by email at info@epa.nsw.gov.au

The Environment Protection Authority has further information on handling of waste materials and hazardous materials including asbestos.

For animal and agricultural support, call the Agriculture and Animal Emergency Services hotline on 1800 814 647

Fodder for livestock

Rural landholders affected by flooding can request Agricultural and Animal Services for emergency fodder.

Register your requests for fodder by calling the hotline on 1800 814 647. Requests can also be lodged by emailing aasfa@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au

The fodder can be collected once you have registered with the hotline and have been notified of your allocation.

Sheltering and injured wildlife

Native wildlife will be displaced and perhaps injured by the floodwaters. They may be on the move, looking for food and shelter.

If you see injured wildlife, call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or Wildlife Rescue Australia on 1300 596 457. 

The RSPCA also offers assistance with wildlife, as well as pets and livestock (including horses):

• send an email at mail@rspcansw.org.au, or
• call 1300 278 358.

If you find an injured animal, and it is safe to do so, contain it in a covered box. Put the box in a dark, quiet place while waiting for a rescuer. Or take the animal in the covered box to a wildlife carer or vet.

See Helping wildlife during floods for more information.

Disposing of animal carcasses

The destruction of floods can be distressing. Please seek mental wellbeing support, particularly  if you are dealing with trauma.

If you intend to dispose of animal carcasses yourself, it's important to note that:

• Onsite burial is the preferred option in most instances. Where there are large mortalities or where onsite issues, including size, soil type, water table, are problematic, disposal through a licensed landfill is usually the next option.  
• Improper carcass disposal can have significant impacts on environmental, human and animal health. Careful planning and management of disposal is important. This is to ensure the safety of the community, other stock, the environment and to minimise the risk of disease spread.
• Poor carcass disposal can result in contamination of soil, ground water and water ways.  
• Access to poorly disposed carcasses can also allow for significant disease spread through scavengers, mosquitoes and vermin.  
• Carcass disposal should occur as soon as possible after the animal has died.   
• Animal owners and managers have a legal responsibility to ensure that disposal of carcasses does not adversely affect the environment.  

Visit Disposing of deceased stock or the Department of Primary Industries website for more information.

For help with disposing of animal carcasses, call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299

Fencing washed away in a flood can create a public safety hazard.

Regional landholders should contact the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647. 

Primary producers whose fencing has been damaged may be eligible for support through Special Disaster Grants. Up to $75,000 is available to successful applicants to help with the cost of repairs. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more details on 1800 678 593. 

Read more about flood support for farmers and primary producers.

Landslides are more likely to occur during or after flooding, as the ground structure can be unstable. 

If you notice signs of a landslide: 

• move away from the area, if you’re outside 

• stay away from powerlines, embankments and trees that may be affected 

• move to a part of the building that is furthest away from the landslide. If you are inside a building and you cannot get out, and take shelter. 

Call Triple Zero (000) if your life is in danger.

Call SES on 132 500 for emergency help.

After a landslide, it is important to stay away from an affected area. The ground may continue to move and may be unsafe. Do not enter damaged buildings. Do not drive on damaged roads. 

Utilities like electricity and gas may be affected. If you live or work near a landslide, make sure you have utilities checked by a professional before you use them.