About flood risk

Understand your flood risk

As Queenslanders, we know that flood events are one of our major hazards. Floods can be a risk to life, and create problems for people when water damages buildings and infrastructure, or cuts roads. There are social, economic and environmental impacts for our communities. Watch the video to find out more about understanding your flood risk.

Everyone's disaster risk is different. It's important to know what your disaster risks are so that you can be prepared. Being ready will help reduce the impact of a disaster on yourself, your loved ones, home, family, finances and business. Your first step to being ready is to find out what, when, and where a disaster might happen, how severe it could potentially be, and if you would be affected. Whether you have lived in the same suburb your entire life, have just moved to Queensland or are travelling within the State, it is easy to find out your disaster risks.

Depending on your location, you may experience floods differently. Your location will determine whether you are likely to experience river, creek, overland flow, storm tide flooding or a combination of several of these types of flood risks. Understanding the type of flooding you are likely to experience will help you to prepare for how quickly the flooding is likely to occur, the duration of heightened flood water levels, where flooding is likely to occur, and the impact it will have on your home, workplace and transport networks.

Your home doesn’t need to be at risk of flood for you to be impacted. Isolation is an issue that can impact people living in elevated areas that are surrounded by water sources. It can prevent you from coming and going from your home or workplace during a flood. This occurs when major roads are cut-off due to flood waters, meaning that people are unable to leave their homes until the floods have subsided.