Department of Health

Floods

Key messages

  • Encourage people in flood-prone areas to plan for floods.
  • Emergency workers should be aware of potential hazards.
  • Hazards remain after flood waters subside.

Floods present many potential health hazards. Emergency workers and other support staff should ensure that members of the public are aware of the potential risks when they return to their homes after a flooding event.

A range of material is available to provide to people who have been affected by floods. When people are planning to return to their homes after the flood waters have subsided, and the risks from floods waters have reduced to a level that is considered safe, there may still be many potential health hazards.

More information

Looking after yourself

Private water sources in flood affected areas
docx 136.35 KB
Drinking water after a flood
docx 103.31 KB
After a flood: animal and insect related hazards
docx 141.13 KB
How to protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases after a flood
docx 148.94 KB
Power outages after a flood
docx 109.83 KB

Cleaning up after a flood

Floods: mould and your health
docx 141.69 KB
Returning home after a flood
docx 124.34 KB
Floods - Guidance for treating swimming pools
docx 150.99 KB
Septic tanks in flood affected areas
docx 137.53 KB
Management strategies for mosquitoes
docx 130.83 KB
Management strategies for mosquitoes
pdf 141.45 KB

In your language

Reviewed 18 April 2024

Health.vic

On this site

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More information

Contact details

Environmental Health Science & Policy

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone 1300 761 874
environmental.healthunit@health.vic.gov.au
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