After a Disaster
Recovery
After an event, it is essential to ensure the safety of yourself and your family before commencing clean-up or trying to assist others. Remember to listen for weather warnings and advice.
Venturing outside or returning home after a disaster has occurred can be both physically and mentally challenging. Knowing what you can expect to see and deal with may help you adjust to the aftermath.
Things you can expect following an event include:
- Debris – and lots of it
- Possible damage to your home and/or contents
- Possible fallen power lines, which can also lead to loss of power
- Road closures
- Emergency services and response groups working to assess and repair damage and provide assistance to the community (based on priority of greatest need)
- Possible loss of telecommunications
- Limited or no access to essential services, local businesses and supplies
- If you have evacuated, it may be some time before Emergency Services declare it safe for you to return home, this is why you need to be prepared to be out of your home for several days to weeks.
- Displaced, injured or deceased animals. Pet owners are responsible for the management of their animals’ welfare, which may include payment for any vet bills or for the euthanasia of animals if needed.
Emergency hardship assistance and support services
The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors works closely with a range of organisations to provide community recovery services during a declared disaster. Emergency hardship assistance grants may be available to support people directly impacted by a disaster to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.
Affected community members may be able to apply for the following subject to meeting eligibility requirements:
- Emergency hardship assistance
- Essential household contents grant
- Structural assistance grant
- Essential services safety and reconnection scheme.
Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business or personal property. Recognise that recovery takes time, and it is okay to ask for help.
How can I help
Check to see if neighbours, especially those with special needs, require assistance. If the situation is life threatening, call '000'. If you have already checked in with your neighbours and still wish to help with the disaster recovery, there are several organisations you may contact to offer further assistance.
Donations
GIVIT is a national not-for-profit organisation connecting those who have with those who need, in a private and safe way. GIVIT matches donation offers with identified requests from a storm, fire, flood or cyclone affected region, thereby eliminating the need for organisations to store and sort unexpected donations.
GIVIT is managing all offers of donated goods and services during the recovery in our Region and 100% of donated money received by GIVIT will be used to purchase essential items. GIVIT purchases items from local providers to support the local economy as it also recovers.
If you want to donate goods to people who have been affected by a natural disaster in our Region, please pledge your offer at givit.org.au.
Volunteering
For those who think they would like to volunteer and assist, join a group that aligns with your interest prior to an event, so you are already enlisted and trained. Gladstone Council’s volunteers page can assist with searching groups and positions needed. However, the below are some examples of local volunteer groups: