What would you suggest someone do during a flood period? And what’s the one thing you’d grab if you had to evacuate quickly?

Leeroy: “Listen to the radio so you can stay connected to the news, read the (online) newspaper or watch the television and just keep up to date with what's happening around, because I reckon that's the only way we can find out what's happening around us. There are people going to the communities, reporters and news agencies, and they are the people's eyes and ears, so I recommend everyone should keep their ears and their eyes to the TV and the radio. And first thing would be to take my torch for when it gets dark so I'll be able to see where I can go because I have kids. I'll take my kids and take them to a safe spot, maybe inland up to the mountains.”

Wolfgang: “Get information from the local council or the authorities and go and stock up on some bread and milk and essentials. Just keep an eye on what the weather is doing, and if you're a local, you're usually prepared for what's going to happen. Other than that, it's mostly common sense. Don't panic. Just be aware that if things start getting bad, you can always ask for help. As for the one thing, you have to take your mobile phone and charger, and maybe a grab bag if you keep your personal possessions like money and essential paperwork. If you're a local you usually know the high points, take your car to a high point and leave it there.”

Samantha: “What would I do? Well, I've just been watching movies. That's one thing I've been doing with all this wet weather. But what I also recommend and suggest to somebody if they're kind of new to the area or depending whether they're in low-lying areas and can see the floods are coming, then go to a friend or family if they've got any here, if not then evacuation centres. Actually, I don't know if there are any evacuation centres. I think there's one. The one item I’d take if I had to evacuate quickly, are photos.”

Melanie: “Probably stay out of the rain and stay safe, I reckon. Because honestly we don't get a lot of rain around here, so when it does rain, it's actually pretty nice. But yeah, stay out of the rain and stay safe. And the first thing? That’s a good question. Honestly, I'd probably help take my siblings because I'm one of 12, so yeah, there are a lot of us. Because I don't live at the same house if I was to up and leave, I've practically got nothing at my house, so I’d go straight to my parents, grab my siblings, and leave.”

Clifford: “I’d suggest probably finding someplace high up or going to the highest place possible you can find, where it’s safe. But also listen to the radio and if there's no power, then the best place to go is the evacuation centre. As for one thing to take in a hurry, I recommend taking your important personal belongings. For us foreigners, our passports and documents are important, so definitely those. Then also some first aid kits, and easy, consumable foods like in cans or something like that.”

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Photo credit: Mark T. Rasmussen

Leeroy Chung recommends listening to the radio and taking a torch.
Wolfgang Iwaszczyn likes information from authorities and having a phone and charger.
Samantha Wallace thinks going to friends or family, and grabbing your photos.
Melanie Aruba reckons stay out of the rain while helping with family.
Clifford Valenzuela suggests going someplace high and to take your passport.

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