Know where and how to turn off
utilites that supply your home, such as mains power, water, gas,
and solar power.
To enable fast action in an emergency, draw a map of your
property and clearly mark the location of your electrical
switchboard, natural gas connection or tanks, water supply, and
solar inverter. Store this with your Household Emergency
Plan.
Remember to turn off power at the main switch in your
switchboard. Two separate inspections must occur on a
flood-affected property before power can be reconnected to your
property, one by your electricity provider and another by a
licensed electrician who will inspect and test household
wiring.
If the water supply system has been flooded, assume it is
contaminated. Damage to water pipes is reduced when depressurised.
Shove a towel down into the water bowel and weigh that down with a
sand bag or brick, to reduce contamination of floodwater by
untreated sewage.
Turn off your gas supply or gas cylinders. Do not attempt to use
gas appliances if your property has been inundated. Any gas
installation affected by floodwaters must be checked by a licensed
gasfitter, at your expense, before the gas supply can be restored.
Your flood insurance might cover the expense. Your gas provider
should replace flood-affected regulators or meters that form part
of the gas network.
If your solar system is at risk of being subjected to a flood,
this is what you should do.
Your solar power system should shut down if mains power is
turned off. However, you can manually turn off the solar power
system by following the shutdown procedure listed on or near your
solar inverter or meter box. Do not attempt to turn the solar power
system on when floods have receded. Call your installer, explain
the situation and ask them to recommission the system. Or call your
licensed electrical contractor. The inverter will need to be
replaced if it has been submerged.
Do not attempt to approach your solar power system or attempt to
turn it off if any of the components are flooded or wet, as this
could cause a lethal electric shock.
In the event floodwaters affect your areas and you lose mains
power supply (electricity) to your house, your photovoltaic array
power system is designed to cut out immediately. Do not attempt to
turn your inverter back on. If you wish to manually shut down your
inverter, please read the instructions located on or near the
inverter.
Homeowners who are forced onto their rooftops to avoid
floodwater need to stay well clear of the panels and associated
wiring, because the panels will continue to produce power event
though the mains supply is off.
Only allow licensed electricians to access the switchboard or
electrical equipment that has been affected by floods. If in doubt,
get professional advice. Don't put your life in danger.
Trim trees and overhanging
branches to prevent electrical interference.
Before you plant any trees consider how high and wide the tree
will ultimately grow. Position new trees and shrubs away from the
house and powerlines to minimise the dangers caused by falling
trees or branches damaging your house or bringing down powerlines.
Plant Smart is a vegetation management program developed by Ergon
and Greening Australia to help you choose trees and shrubs suitable
for planting under powerlines.
The main reason for pruning trees is to reduce the risk of
damage to your car, home, and family. Pruning encourages tree to
develop a strong structure, which reduces the risk of falling trees
and branches during severe weather events. And you can use
the aged forest mulch as compost for your garden.
Because you live in a flood-prone area, you should keep a keen
eye on whether trees near powerlines could come into contact with
and damage powerlines. Do not attempt to prune trees in or near
powerlines. If you are concerned a tree is too close to powerlines,
advise your electricity provider.