Floods – farm preparation and clean up

Floods can be devastating for farmers. They can also present a health risk for people and animals. Preparing your farm for flood may help to reduce some of the damage.

Make sure you have a flood plan:

• Have 1-2 weeks of non perishable foods in stock and ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Make sure your insurance covers flood damage
• Store important documents, photos etc in an emergency kit that is waterproof.
• Anchor fuel tanks, relocate waste, chemicals and poisons to high areas
• Relocate pumps to high ground.
• Store electrical tools in highest possible places
• Know the safest routes out if you need to leave

Farm animals:

• Investigate building refuge mounds with feed  and water storage for livestock in flood prone areas
• Use the flood mound during the year so animals are familiar with it
• Relocate bulls and stallions when flood alerts are issued, as they cannot be held in confined spaces with other stock.
• Prepare early to move animals with young at foot to higher ground.

Pasture and crops:

• Try to minimise planting crops in flood prone areas.
• Investigate which crops can be sown successfully after a flood.
• Floods spread weeds so monitor and control weed growth.

After a flood, seek support, both personal and financial, to help you cope. Contact Centrelink and your local Department of Primary Industries.