VIC, NSW, TAS floods: Red Cross urges people to look after their wellbeing

Australian Red Cross is encouraging people affected by major flooding to look after their wellbeing as the emergency continues across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

“The flood emergency will be highly stressful for people as they prepare for flooding to come, or have been forced to evacuate from their homes, or will be returning to flooded areas,” said John Richardson, National Resilience Advisor with Australian Red Cross.

“We know the mental health impacts of disasters are at least as costly as the infrastructure damage.”

People preparing for an emergency

“For communities preparing for the flood threat to come, we urge people to take both practical and psychological steps to prepare.

“The practical steps will include flood preparations as advised by the SES, as well as being prepared for isolation. People must prepare for their home being inundated, and they should think about the items they want to protect - things that are not easily replaced.

“People should prepare their mind, to reduce the stress of the emergency so they make better decisions, and will have less challenges after the flood passes,” he said. More information can be found at redcross.org.au/prepare »

People amid evacuation

“For people in the process of evacuation, this is a highly stressful time, as there is uncertainty about what might unfold. We recommend taking steps to look after your wellbeing. Talking with people helps, as does eating well, exercise, and using relaxation techniques.”

More information is available at Coping after a crisis »

People returning home

“For people returning home, there may be a range of emotions - from sadness or despair if their home is inundated, to exhilaration if they have escaped flooding,” he said.

“People will face practical and emotional challenges. They should pace themselves and look after their wellbeing.”

More information is available at Returning home and coping after a crisis »

Australian Red Cross support

Australian Red Cross continues to provide a range of support to help people manage the practical and psychosocial impacts of the disaster and is planning to support communities through their long recovery journey.

In this flood event, trained Red Cross teams have assisted more than 2,700 people in 20 evacuation and relief centres providing psychological first aid, which helps people be safe, supported and connected to support, and take actions to reduce the impacts and in some cases, coordinating other essentials such emergency food relief and information resources in the following locations: 

• Dubbo, Castle Hill, Richmond North, Forbes and Wagga Wagga (NSW)
• Deloraine and Launceston (TAS)
• Bendigo Shepparton, Skipton, Tatura, Maribyrnong, Seymour, Creswick, Wycheproof, Wangaratta, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Creswick, Swan Hill and Mickleham (VIC)

In some areas, teams have begun outreach to communities that have been impacted following the floods, providing practical and emotional support, and connecting people to vital services. 

Being separated by disaster is considered one of the more stressful things that can happen in an emergency. As a result, Red Cross is operating the Register.Find.Reunite. service in New South Wales and Victoria, helping people register and reconnect with loved ones who have been separated by the floods. We urge people to register ahead of the peak flood threats to reassure family members and emergency authorities of their whereabouts, via redcross.org.au

“As well as the response to date, we and others are really concerned about forecast rain later this week,” said Red Cross Director of Australian Programs, Vicki Mau.

“Many of the areas affected have dealt with cumulative disasters over the past few years including drought, covid, storms and floods. In addition, a number of these communities are also experiencing challenges such as accommodation shortages and higher mental health needs”

“Recovery is long and complex, and different for every person and every community. Dealing with events like this over the longer term can be stressful, and emotionally and physically exhausting. Red Cross is ready to work with communities as they recover.”

The work before, during, and after emergencies is funded from the Australian Red Cross Disaster Response Recovery Fund, which is set up to support Australians all year round. (The fund is not solely dedicated to this particular emergency)

For more information go to redcross.org.au/drr

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Media: media@redcross.org.au, 1800 733 443.