How to prepare for a natural disaster

Last updated: 19 October 2026

Taking a few steps before a natural disaster can help protect your home, belongings and finances.

Check if your home is at risk of a natural disaster 

Australia sees multiple natural disasters each year and they can affect any area. But some homes face a higher risk of floods, bushfires, cyclones or other natural hazards. 

To find out if your home is in a natural disaster-prone area, contact your local council and ask about: 

• flood maps and previous floods 
• cyclone risk 
• your property’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) 
• building or planning requirements that may apply to your property. 

Check your insurance cover

Home and contents insurance

Review your home and contents insurance regularly and after making significant changes to your home. You're underinsured if your insurance doesn't cover all the costs of rebuilding your home or replacing its contents.  

Rebuilding costs may be higher after a natural disaster because: 

• your home may need to meet current building codes  
• demand for builders and supplies may increase 
• removing debris may add to the cost 

See Storm, flood and fire insurance to understand what to check in your policy. 

Car insurance

Natural disasters can also damage or destroy vehicles. Review your car insurance to make sure you have the level of cover you need and understand what events your policy covers. If your car is insured for an agreed value, check that the insured amount is still appropriate.  

See claiming on your car insurance to understand what to do if your vehicle is damaged after a storm, flood, bushfire or other natural disaster. 

Keep your important documents safe 

Store important documents somewhere secure and easy to access after an emergency. These won’t be your highest priority if you’re experiencing a natural disaster, so it’s good to already have them stored safely, now.

Protect important originals

Place important documents and records in a fire resistant, waterproof safe at home or in a safe deposit box. These may include:

• marriage or birth certificates
• wills and powers of attorney
• passports
• property records 
• financial and account information, including insurance policies 

Keep electronic copies

Scan or take photos of important documents. The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre explains how to back up and protect your files.

Photograph valuable belongings 

You can also photograph valuable belongings and keep receipts, valuations or serial numbers. This may help if you need to make an insurance claim. 

Prepare an emergency money plan

A natural disaster can disrupt power, internet, mobile phone coverage and digital payment systems. Think about how you would access money and pay for essential items if you had to leave your home or communications were disrupted. 

You could: 

• keep a small amount of emergency cash in a secure place  
• keep your bank and insurer’s contact details somewhere accessible  
• keep photo ID on you in case you need to visit a bank branch 
• check that your myGov and Centrelink account details are up to date in case you need to apply for disaster assistance payments. 

Don’t keep more cash at home than you are comfortable losing. Cash may be damaged, destroyed or stolen in a disaster. 

Make a household emergency plan 

Take time to plan what your household will do in the face of an emergency. This may include: 

• where you will get official warnings and information 
• when and where you will evacuate 
• what you will take 
• how you will care for children, older people and pets 
• how household members will contact each other 
• where you will stay if you cannot return home. 

The National Emergency Management Agency support and resources hub connects you with preparation information for your state or territory

If a natural disaster affects you, follow emergency-service advice and put your safety first. When it is safe, see what to do after a natural disaster.