New Zealand Flood & Severe Weather Preparation Checklist: 23 Items
Prepare for heavy rain, river flooding, slips and storm disruption in New Zealand with a household action plan.
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๐บ๏ธ Know your location hazards
Notes: Use council and Civil Defence sources for property-specific risks.
Use council and Civil Defence sources for property-specific risks.
Notes: Review watches and warnings before travel or outdoor activities.
Review watches and warnings before travel or outdoor activities.
Notes: Local evacuation information can be different from national forecasts.
Local evacuation information can be different from national forecasts.
Notes: Choose reachable safe areas away from rising water.
Choose reachable safe areas away from rising water.
Notes: Plan alternatives if floodwater or slips block the route.
Plan alternatives if floodwater or slips block the route.
๐ Prepare the home
Notes: Avoid roofs or ladders when conditions are dangerous.
Avoid roofs or ladders when conditions are dangerous.
Notes: Prioritise safe, practical moves before heavy rain starts.
Prioritise safe, practical moves before heavy rain starts.
Notes: High wind can turn unsecured objects into hazards.
High wind can turn unsecured objects into hazards.
Notes: Ask qualified help when controls or flooding create hazards.
Ask qualified help when controls or flooding create hazards.
๐ Protect people and supplies
Notes: Choose supplies suitable for disrupted power and transport.
Choose supplies suitable for disrupted power and transport.
Notes: Keep contacts and a spare charging method ready.
Keep contacts and a spare charging method ready.
Notes: Maintain lawful prescriptions and basic first aid.
Maintain lawful prescriptions and basic first aid.
Notes: Tailor supplies to people and animals who rely on you.
Tailor supplies to people and animals who rely on you.
Notes: A dry layer and sturdy shoes can help during evacuation.
A dry layer and sturdy shoes can help during evacuation.
๐ถ Make an evacuation plan
Notes: Make plans for daytime and nighttime movement.
Make plans for daytime and nighttime movement.
Notes: Use an out-of-area contact if local networks fail.
Use an out-of-area contact if local networks fail.
Notes: Do not expose private information in public versions.
Do not expose private information in public versions.
Notes: Depth and current can be misleading; turn around.
Depth and current can be misleading; turn around.
Notes: Floods and landslides can damage apparently familiar routes.
Floods and landslides can damage apparently familiar routes.
โ Respond and recover
Notes: Move when instructed; do not wait to finish packing.
Move when instructed; do not wait to finish packing.
Notes: Treat water and electrical hazards as potentially dangerous.
Treat water and electrical hazards as potentially dangerous.
Notes: Photographs and records may help an insurance claim.
Photographs and records may help an insurance claim.
Notes: Wait for safe access advice and appropriate protective measures.
Wait for safe access advice and appropriate protective measures.
Complete Guide
Flood risk is local
Heavy rain may affect rivers, roads, low-lying suburbs and steep slopes differently. Combine MetService forecasts with council maps and local Civil Defence warnings.
Prepare before the weather deteriorates
Clear safe drainage paths, protect possessions, secure loose items and pack essentials while conditions remain calm. Do not risk falls or electrical injury during last-minute preparations.
A safe route is more important than belongings
Floodwater can rise quickly, and bridge access can change. Plan higher-ground options and alternatives that do not cross water or unstable ground.
Communication during an event
Keep a way to receive local warnings and contact people who rely on you. Power and phone services may fail, so a charged device and paper backup are useful.
What to avoid in floodwater
Do not drive or walk through moving floodwater or enter contaminated buildings without safety advice. Water can conceal holes, debris, sewage and live electricity.
Safe recovery
Return only when authorities permit. Document damage when safe, preserve important records and contact insurers or property owners through proper channels.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drive across shallow floodwater?
No. Floodwater can hide road damage, strong current or debris. Avoid crossing and follow road-closure directions.
Do all areas use the same evacuation thresholds?
No. Local Civil Defence groups, councils and catchments may issue different warnings; use guidance for your location.
Should I return home when the rain stops?
Not automatically. Floodwater, landslides and damaged infrastructure can remain dangerous; wait for local safety advice.
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