Step-by-Step Disaster and Emergency Planning

Understanding your local risks is the foundation of disaster preparedness.

Hazards affecting the Sunshine Coast may include:

• Flooding
• Severe storms
• Bushfire
• Heatwaves
• Coastal erosion
• Storm tide
• Landslips
• Hazardous material incidents

Once you understand your risks, develop a household emergency and evacuation plan with everyone who lives in your home.

Your plan should identify:

• How you will communicate if family members are separated
• Where you will meet if evacuation is required
• Emergency contact numbers
• Evacuation routes and safer locations
• Support arrangements for vulnerable family members
• Plans for pets and assistance animals
• Actions to protect your property from hazards relevant to your area

Consider the needs of people who may require additional support, including older residents, people with disability, those with medical conditions, and anyone who may need assistance evacuating or accessing information during an emergency.

Review your plan annually or whenever your circumstances change.

Use the Get Ready Queensland Household Emergency Plan template to create your plan today.

During an emergency you may be advised to shelter in place or evacuate.

Preparing your kit before a disaster occurs ensures you can act quickly when warnings are issued.

Residents should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least seven days if essential services are disrupted.

Emergency kit checklist

Include:

• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food
• Manual can opener
• First aid supplies
• Battery-powered radio
• Torch and spare batteries
• Power banks and charging cables
• Essential medications
• Prescription information
• Important documents in waterproof bags
• Household emergency plan
• Cash
• Personal hygiene items
• Face masks and hand sanitiser
• Baby supplies if required
• Pet food and pet supplies
• Local paper maps

Store your kit in a waterproof container that is easy to access.

Check and restock your kit every six months.

Evacuation kit checklist

Your evacuation kit should contain items that support short-term relocation, including:

• Clothing and footwear
• Blankets and bedding
• Toiletries
• Medication and prescriptions
• Mobile phones and chargers
• Important documents
• Water and snacks
• Children's comfort items and entertainment
• Pet supplies
• Valuables and irreplaceable items

If evacuation is required, take your:

• Emergency kit
• Evacuation kit
• Household emergency plan
• Pet emergency kit

Prepare your home

Reducing damage begins long before severe weather arrives.

Regular maintenance can significantly improve your home's resilience.

Home maintenance

• Inspect your roof regularly
• Keep gutters and downpipes clear
• Trim overhanging branches
• Repair damaged building components
• Address corrosion, rot, termites and loose fittings

General preparedness

• Ensure insurance policies are current and adequate
• Understand your policy coverage and exclusions
• Identify a safe room within your home
• Know how to turn off water, gas and electricity
• Keep emergency supplies accessible
• Maintain fuel in your vehicle where safe and appropriate

For flood-prone areas

• Store chemicals above likely flood levels
• Relocate valuable items where possible
• Raise electrical equipment above known flood levels
• Consider flood-resilient materials when renovating

For storm and cyclone-prone areas

• Have your property assessed for structural resilience if required
• Install approved window protection where appropriate
• Secure loose outdoor items before severe weather

When warnings are issued

Follow official advice and complete final preparations early.

This may include:

• Securing outdoor furniture
• Charging devices
• Filling water containers
• Moving vehicles or equipment
• Preparing for evacuation if directed

Prepare your business

Disasters can significantly affect business operations.

A business continuity plan helps minimise disruption and supports faster recovery.

Consider how your business would operate if faced with:

• Power outages
• Telecommunications failures
• Staff shortages
• Supply chain disruptions
• Flooding or storm damage
• Cyber incidents during disaster events
• Temporary loss of premises

Business continuity planning helps identify critical functions, recovery priorities and alternative operating arrangements before an emergency occurs.

Pets depend on their owners for safety during disasters.

Preparing a pet emergency kit and including pets in your household emergency plan helps ensure they can be cared for during disruptions or evacuations.

Pet emergency kit checklist

Include:

• Food and water for up to two weeks
• Medications and veterinary records
• Registration and microchip information
• Current photograph of your pet
• Bedding and comfort items
• Leads, harnesses and carriers
• Hygiene and sanitation supplies
• Feeding instructions

Plan ahead

Consider:

• Where your pets will go if evacuation is required
• Emergency boarding options
• Friends or family outside affected areas
• Transport arrangements

Ensure animals can always be easily identified, and that registration and microchip details remain current.

Assistance animals

Accredited assistance dogs are permitted to remain with their owners at evacuation facilities. Owners should bring their pet emergency kit and appropriate identification documentation.

Official warnings provide critical information that can help keep you safe.

Monitor warnings through:

• Sunshine Coast Disaster Hub
• Bureau of Meteorology
• Queensland Disaster Management website
• Local radio and television
• Emergency Alert messages
• Emergency services announcements

Listen

Pay attention to:

• Emergency Alert messages
• Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS)
• Emergency services advice
• Local emergency broadcasts

Log on

Use trusted information sources to monitor changing conditions and understand what actions you need to take.

Act

When warnings are issued:

• Activate your emergency plan
• Gather your emergency kits
• Follow evacuation directions if issued
• Check on neighbours who may require assistance
• Continue monitoring official information sources

Do not wait until conditions deteriorate before taking action.

Early decisions give you more options and improve safety outcomes.