Related information and links
Property damage caused by flooding can affect anyone and often catch us unprepared. NSW Fair Trading and other service providers can help.
This page outlines the things you should be aware of after a natural disaster occurs.
On this page:
Help is at hand
The NSW Government has resources to help you during and after the floods. There is also financial assistance available.
Beware of electrical hazards
Clean-up after a storm or flood
It's important to clean up safely after a storm or flood. Keep safe by following this advice:
- Listen to your local radio station for further warnings and advice.
- Report fallen, low or damaged powerlines to the emergency services or your local electricity network operator and stay away from them.
- Stay away from electrical signs, street lights, electrical cables, foil insulation or other conductive material that may be lying around your house.
- Stay away from switchboards if they are damaged by water, fire or if lightning is close, and warn others to do the same.
- Do not do your own electrical work - it's illegal and dangerous. Always use a licensed electrician. You can check your electrician is licensed online
- If you have a solar power generating system, avoid getting on the roof unless it is absolutely necessary and keep away from solar panels and their cables.
- If there’s asbestos – make sure you know how to clean it up safely.
Property or connection damage
If your property or connecting line has been damaged by a storm or flood, you may need to test it before reconnection to ensure everything is safe to use.
Hire a licensed electrician to do this. They can ensure it is safe for your local electricity network operator or authorised Level 2 Accredited Service Provider to reconnect your service.
Solar PV systems
Stay away from solar panels and wiring after a storm, flood or cyclone. Do not attempt to turn off the system.
If your solar photovoltaic (PV) system has been damaged, get a licensed electrician to inspect it, make any repairs and check it’s safe to be re-commissioned.
This check needs to be done before other clean-up work starts around the PV cells and associated electrical wiring.
Even if the network supply is turned off, PV systems will continue to produce voltages during the day. Always treat the system and associated wires as live.
If your system has been checked and is safe, follow the start-up procedure.
Learn more about solar panel safety.
Electrical appliances and equipment
Using water-damaged equipment can cause electric shocks and fires.
Make sure you dispose of or have an authorised service person repair and test water-affected electrical items, such as kettles, toasters and televisions before you plug them in.
Get a licensed electrician to check all water-damaged hard-wired electrical appliances, such as air-conditioning units or stoves, before using them. This safety check may be required before the power supply can be reconnected.
Learn more about electrical safety.
Generators
Power from generators can be dangerous.
Make sure you:
- connect your generator to your house electrical wiring using a generator change-over switch and appropriate socket. These switches must be installed by a licensed electrician
- ensure all leads used to connect your generator are in good working order
- use power boards with an overload cut-out switch
- run the generator outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Do not exceed the generator's load rating, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Do not connect your generator to your house using a powerpoint on a power circuit or any other connection point. This can cause dangerous back-feeding.
Backfeeding can happen when a generator is connected to your home wiring system without disconnecting from the electricity network. This commonly occurs when a generator is connected directly to your electrical switchboard or a circuit in your home.
Backfeeding creates an electrical hazard to electricity network employees as well as damage to the generator when mains power is restored.
Home repairs
Natural disasters (like floods and fires) can damage your home, making urgent repairs necessary.
Contact your insurer and/or financial institution early to establish what financial impact any damage may have.
Before you hire a tradesperson to carry out repairs:
- check your insurance policy and find out if you are covered
- ask around for suitable tradespeople and get quotes
- ask for a tradesperson’s full name and licence number and check they are licensed to do the work
- do not pay in full upfront
- be wary of door-to-door offers - get proof that the tradesperson is offering the deal legally and appropriately
- check with your local council if a building permit or other approval is needed.
Read contracts carefully before signing them and make sure you understand any terms and conditions.
Unsolicited consumer agreements are subject to a 10-day cooling-off period and payment cannot be requested during this time.
Check a licence
In NSW, residential building work valued at $5,000 or more (incl. GST) requires a licence. Specialist work like electrical wiring, air conditioning, plumbing, drainage and gasfitting also requires a licence.
Don’t pay any money without a written contract. Protect yourself and your investment by using our online tool to check your tradesperson is qualified and/or licensed to do the job.
Master Electricians Association has some helpful information.
Rental properties
Landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities if their rental property has been affected by a natural disaster.
This includes arranging for urgent repairs, cleaning or clearing any debris caused by a disaster, and arranging for utilities to be restored if they were cut off due to damage.
Learn more about flood damage and renting.
Rented caravan damaged or uninhabitable
If you are renting a caravan and it has been damaged or made uninhabitable due to natural disaster, you may be able to terminate your agreement immediately and go elsewhere.
Contact the Park Manager to discuss your options and give notice of termination in writing.
Travelling conmen
Beware of travelling conmen and unlicensed traders, who target disaster-affected areas, offering cheap, cash-only repairs to roofs, driveways and damaged trees.
Be suspicious of people who:
- turn up at your door unexpectedly offering special one-off or 'today only' deals
- ask for cash upfront
- offer to drive you to the bank to get money for payment
- pressure you into accepting their offer.
If you take up such offers, you run the risk of:
- sub-standard or defective work
- being left out of pocket if the trader disappears before finishing the job
- being unable to contact the trader once they have been paid
- paying more to have a legitimate tradesperson repair poor work.
Remember, if the work is valued at over $5,000, ask to see a licence.
Damaged furniture and belongings
You need to contact your insurance company about your contents insurance policy.
If you need disaster assistance, visit the Resilience NSW website.
Car damage
Contact your insurance company to have the damage assessed.
If the damage can be repaired, make sure you go to a licensed motor vehicle repairer.
Credit, debt and insurance problems
Contact your financial institution or insurer in the first instance.
If you are unable to resolve the issue, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Fundraising
If you are looking to fundraise, donate or offer financial support to flood-affected communities, visit the charitable fundraising page and make sure you fundraise effectively.
More information
For more information on electrical safety and flooding/storms in your area, contact your local electricity network operator.
Essential Energy: 132 080
Ausgrid: 131 388
Endeavour Energy: 131 003