Preparing for Floods
In September 2020, the Bureau of Meteorology declared a La Niña was officially underway in Australia, signalling we could be in for a wet spring and summer. La Niña conditions generally result in above average rainfall over much of Australia.
This means that after years of drought and fire prone conditions, the dairy industry needs to be prepared for a greater risk of flooding or flash flooding over the 2020/21 summer and spring.
The below list of resources includes tools to help you assess and prepare for flood risk on your property, where to go to keep up to date with the latest weather warnings and emergency alerts, and advice for managing through and recovering from flood impacts.
Preparation
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Title |
Description |
Author and link |
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Preparing for flood |
This guide helps dairy farmers to prepare for flood and lessen the time it takes to recover from such an event. |
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Emergency preparedness checklist |
The Emergency preparedness checklist includes suggestions to help farmers prepare for and reduce the potential for injury and property damage. |
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Preparing for power outages |
Preparing for power outages will help farmers develop a contingency plan that will save time and keep the dairy operational during a power outage. |
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Flood and cyclone preparedness (DPIRD, WA) |
Basic instructions on flood, storm and cyclone preparedness, including links to DFES. |
Western Australia DPIRD preparedness and recovery |
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Natural Disaster Resilience Program: floods |
The purpose of the course is to assist farmers to develop flood mapping, mitigation and resilience management plans for their property. Our focus is on preparing for the next flood, learning lessons from the past and providing technical and business advice to further improve resilience to future floods. |
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Disaster Management Course |
This course provides a step by step process for disaster recovery. Learn how to strengthen your businesses long term resilience to natural disasters by implementing the disaster management courses widely adopted PPRR framework. |
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Vic SES Floodsafe resources |
Information hub (not ag specific), including:
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Farmsafe emergency contacts template |
Farm emergency contacts template. |
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NSW SES Flood resources |
A range of preparatory resources from New South Wales State Emergency Service. |
Alerts
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Title |
Description |
Author and link |
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Australia Rainfall and River Conditions |
View current warnings for Australia on rainfall and river conditions. |
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Climate outlooks—weeks, months and seasons |
National climate outlooks issued Thursdays. One and two-week outlooks are also issued Mondays. |
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Fast Break newsletter |
The Fast Break details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises three-month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian Oceans, rainfall and temperature for Vic, SA, southern NSW and Tas. |
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Floods and Storms: Current Situation |
Current information on floods and storms in NSW. Monthly seasonal conditions updates also available online here. |
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VicEmergency app |
The VicEmergency app aligns with the VicEmergency website to provide a centralised location for Victorians to access timely emergency information and warnings. The app includes warnings and incident notifications for fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tsunami, weather warnings, shark sightings, beach closures and more. |
Response phase - Animal health and welfare
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Title |
Description |
Author and link |
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Mastitis control in wet conditions |
This factsheet outlines the four key steps when dealing with mastitis in wet or muddy periods. |
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Managing lameness in wet conditions |
This factsheet provides an overview of common types of lameness and management strategies which can be implemented in wet conditions. |
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Importance of drinking water access and quality |
Access to quality drinking water is essential for dairy cow productivity, health and welfare. |
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Stock Water Budgeting Tool |
The stock water budgeting tool helps dairy farmers assess the risk of running short on stock water at key times of the year. The tool takes 10 minutes and uses easy to access data such as herd size, milking shed size, water use and storage size. |
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Stock water planning |
A factsheet on stock water planning and how to use the Stock Water Supply Risk Assessment Tool. |
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Stock water – supply, cow access and quality video |
Feedbase and nutrition lead, Ruairi McDonnell and dairy consultant, Steve Little discuss stock water planning for summer, including the importance of water accessibility and maintaining water quality. |
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Water quality for livestock |
Information on water quality for livestock, including consideration post-floods. Detailed information on contaminated dam water also available here. |
Response phase - Farm infrastructure
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Title |
Description |
Author and link |
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What to do immediately after a flood |
What to do following a flood, including detailed instructions on:
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Building sediment fences |
Practical steps for landowners: Building sediment fences video. |
Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning |
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QFF Farmer Disaster Support |
Hub for available disaster support resources for Queensland farmers. |
Response phase - Milking
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Title |
Description |
Author and link |
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Milking through power outages |
This flyer provides an overview of steps farmers can take to ensure their operations are not overly impacted by prolonged power disruption. |
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Managing power outages |
Advice for managing power outages during emergencies. |
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Missed milkings due to adverse effects |
Advice for managing missed milking due to power outages or other emergencies. |
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Emergency disposal of milk |
Information on milk disposal on farm including factors to be considered, disposal methods and legal obligations. |
Recovery phase
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Title |
Description |
Author and link |
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Recovering from floods |
This guide details the things to prioritise when recovering from floods. |
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What is an Impact Diary? |
This factsheet covers what you need to record in an Impact Diary, to help substantiate claims on losses after a natural disaster. |
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National Centre for Farmer Health |
Support services directory - Staying healthy and well is important in good times and trying times. Drought, flood, bushfires and change in prices can be a trying time for many farmers. We have compiled this list of resources as an easy reference for you to seek the required support. |
