Recovering from a disaster

Recovery

Disasters affect everyone differently. Some people recover soon after while others may take a long time to feel like things are back to normal.

It is important to stay safe after a disaster has happened:

  • Listen to your ABC Wide Bay (100.1 FM) and monitor Council’s emergency news and media outlets for updates.
  • Take precautions when venturing outside.
  • Check your home for damage and shut off any damaged utilities.
  • Check on neighbours and those who require additional support.
  • Check for structural property damage.
  • If evacuated, do not return home until advised by the authorities. When advised, use the recommended route.
  • Stay away from damaged power lines, fallen trees, flooded waterways. Report to the appropriate authority.
  • Do not go sightseeing.
  • Do not eat or drink anything that may be contaminated.

Get Ready Queensland and the Queensland Government's 'Rebuilding and Cleaning Up' websites provide links for further advice on how to safely clean up after a disaster.

Business recovery

Returning home safely

For those who have evacuated:

There will be a coordinated assessment of damage and community impacts. This is needed to determine if return to the affected area is possible and to identify any special conditions which may need to be imposed.

Information will be provided to the affected community about:

  • what to expect when you return (e.g. what you will see, smell, feel, impacts to essential services such as sewage and power)
  • the residual risks returnees face
  • location of, and reason for, restricted areas
  • support services available in the vicinity (e.g. health, welfare, banking, insurance, education, childcare)
  • food and water supplies, access to fuel, hardware stores.

Dealing with insurance

Make sure you photograph everything first!

Contact your insurer or broker as soon as possible. Provide them with as much information as you can. Making contact is critical to getting the claims process under way even if you do not know the full extent of damage to your property. Damaged or soiled items that may be a health hazard can be moved to a safe area or disposed of after being photographed but check with your insurer first!

Should you have enquiries, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is the representative body of the general insurance industry in Australia. They also offer information on non-insurance and under insurance.

Emergency hardship assistance and support

There are many different types of financial assistance available to those who have been directly impacted by disaster.

Check whether you are eligible for assistance offered by the Queensland Government here.

Contact Services Australia for information on Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).

Contacts to request urgent assistance

Contact Phone
Police, Fire and Ambulance 000
TTY Emergency calls 106
SES 132 500
13 HEALTH 13 43 25 85
Emergency housing 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349

Personal support

The Australian Red Cross offers disaster recovery services and resources to help you and your community as well as children and young people.

Lifeline Disaster Relief and Community Recovery provides counselling or 'psychological first aid' to support people as they work through shock and begin to come to grips with their disaster experiences. You can also visit the Lifeline Australia web site or call them on 13 11 14.

Psychological and emotional recovery

It is okay to ask for help. Recognise that recovery takes time. Seek or accept support when your need it:

How Can I Help?

Offer assistance to family, friends and neighbours. Connect with groups and clubs you are already involved with or know about.

Donations

Want to donate goods to others? Register the goods available so they are matched to people who need it most through GIVIT. GIVIT is a national not-for-profit organisation that matches donation offers with identified requests from a disaster-affected region; eliminating the need for organisations to store and sort unexpected donations.

GIVIT manages all offers of donated goods and services during recovery and 100% of donated money received by GIVIT is used to purchase essential items. GIVIT purchases items from local providers to support the local economy as it also recovers.

Volunteering

Anyone wishing to volunteer should register with Volunteering Queensland. Volunteering Queensland coordinates and manages spontaneous volunteers to ensure they are matched with approved community recovery partners.