Flood Resilience Tips

Simple Ways You Can Help Prepare for Flooding

Heavy rain and blocked waterways can lead to serious flooding in our neighbourhood. Here are small, practical actions we can all take to protect our families, homes, and community.

Around Your Home

• Keep drains and gutters clear
  Clear leaves and rubbish from gutters, downpipes, and backyard drains if it’s safe. If you’re renting, ask your landlord to maintain them.
• Tidy your yard
  Loose items like wood, buckets or play equipment can be washed into drains or streams during heavy rain. Store them securely or dispose of them properly.
• Don’t tip anything into drains or creeks
  Pouring paint, oil, or soapy water down outdoor drains harms the environment and can lead to blockages.
• Use bins properly
  Putting your rubbish, recycling, and food scraps in the right bin helps prevent animals or wind from spreading waste into our streets and waterways.
• Check fences and paths
  Make sure fence panels or other materials won't fall or block water flow during a storm. If your fence is damaged, let your property manager or landlord know.

Helping Our Streams

• Dispose of waste responsibly
  Don’t dispose of rubbish by dumping it in or near streams. Rubbish blocks streams and dumped waste attracts rats and pests. Instead:
  • Use your household rubbish, recycling, and food scrap bins
  • Book an Auckland Council inorganic collection
  • Take items to a transfer station
  • Reuse, donate, or give items away
• Join a local clean-up or planting day
  The Ōtara Waterways and Lake Trust runs regular events where you can help protect and improve our local creeks and reserves. Get involved here.
• Report illegal dumping or blockages
  See rubbish in or near a stream? Let Auckland Council know by calling 09 301 0101 or report it online.
• Keep stream paths open
  If your property backs onto a creek, don’t dispose of green waste (like branches or lawn clippings) along the stream edge. They can block the flow and increase the spread of weeds in our streams.

Flood-Ready Tips

Floods can happen fast. Here are some simple ways to stay prepared and keep your whānau safe:

• Have an emergency plan
  Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in a flood: where to go, who to contact, and what to take. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just talked through.
• Store important items up high
  If your home is in a known flood risk area, keep valuable or sentimental items, important documents, and electronics off the floor and in waterproof containers if possible.
• Know where water flows
  Look around your home or driveway. Are there low spots where water pools? Make a plan to move cars or belongings if heavy rain is forecast. Use Auckland Council’s Flood viewer to find out more.
• Report flooding
  It's important to let Auckland Council know if you have experienced flooding or see it in the community. Let Auckland Council know by calling 09 301 0101 or reporting online. If there is an immediate risk to life on private property or public land, call 111
• Keep an emergency grab bag
  Have a small backpack ready with essentials like medications, torch, snacks, phone charger, and a copy of important documents in case you need to leave quickly.
• Stay informed
  Check MetService for weather warnings and follow Auckland Emergency Management for updates during storms. Read more about how you can prepare for flooding emergencies on Auckland Council's website. You can also sign up for alerts from Auckland Emergency Management.