Sandbags available to reduce flooding risk

The City of Greater Geelong and SES Victoria have established a sandbag collection point at St Albans Reserve in Thomson, as the municipality prepares to receive significant rainfall over the coming days.

Residents will need to fill sandbags themselves using the sand onsite and are advised to bring a spade.
The sandbags will be available from 9am to 7pm.

City of Greater Geelong director of city services Guy Wilson-Browne said residents and businesses were advised to prepare for flash flooding and river flooding.

“We’ve worked with the SES to make sandbags available to help try to reduce the impact of flooding on homes or business. Sandbags will not stop the water completely but can reduce the amount of water entering your property,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

“City crews have been out clearing major drains in preparation for heavy rainfall, and we’re ready to respond to incidents that may arise.”

“We urge residents to stay inside wherever possible and to never drive through flood waters.”

Residents should report any serious flooding to emergency services.

For more information on how to fill, lay and place sandbags to minimise the amount of water entering your home, follow the VicSES sandbagging guide.

Flooding emergency

The most current emergency information is available through:

• Website: VicEmergency Website
• Mobile App: download the VicEmergency App
• Phone: VicEmergency Hotline: 1800 226 226
• Social Media: VicEmergency Twitter and Facebook
• People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech/communication impairment can phone VicEmergency Hotline via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
• For help with English, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (free call) and ask them to telephone VicEmergency Hotline. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
• Radio: 774 ABC radio (AM) or Bay FM 93.9
• TV: Sky News TV or ABC News 24

Prepare your property

• Ensure loose items outside are tied down
• Raise any valuable items off the ground in low lying areas
• Prepare a basic home emergency kit.

Phone numbers

• For assistance, phone the SES on 132 500
• For life threatening emergencies, phone 000
• For issues on City of Greater Geelong-owned land or roads, phone 5272 5272.