February 2025 storms
If you need emergency assistance
Call Triple Zero (000) in life threatening emergencies.
Call 132 500 for emergency assistance if your property has been damaged in a storm. Call VICSES if:
- a tree has fallen and caused structural damage to your home or vehicle
- there is damage to your roof or it is leaking significantly
- a large tree or branch has fallen and is preventing you from entering or leaving your home
- your property is flooded or about to flood.
For other urgent healthcare questions, including if you are feeling unwell from heat, call 1300 60 60 24 for Nurse-on-Call. You can speak to a nurse and get advice.
Power outages
Information on power outages can be found on your energy distributor’s website. You can find your energy distributor at Energy Victoria.
Staying safe
The most important thing to do in a power outage is to stay safe.
- Make sure appliances are turned off.
- Keep clear of fallen powerlines and keep others away.
- Be careful with temporary generators.
If there has been significant damage to your property, ensure a licensed electrician checks it is safe to turn your power back on.
Find other tips for staying safe on the Energy Victoria website.
Road safety
Check road closures before you travel via the VicTraffic website
Keep clear of any fallen powerlines – always assume they are live and report them to your energy distributor.
Returning home after a storm
After a storm has passed, conditions may still be dangerous. If there are fallen powerlines, stay more than 8-to-10 metres away. Standing near fallen powerlines can be fatal.
If you have evacuated, do not return home until emergency services say it is safe to do so. When returning home, watch for hazards such as fallen trees or storm debris.
- Australian Red Cross has practical tips about how to return home and clean up following a fire, flood or other disaster.
- VicSES has tips about how to prepare for storms, as well as what to do during a storm and after it has passed.
What to do if your home has been damaged
Check your home and property for damage.
Electricity, gas and water supplies may be disrupted. If your property has been damaged, have all utilities checked and tested by a licenced technician before you use them.
Cleaning up
Consider your health and safety when cleaning up after a storm. Damaged buildings may contain hazardous material.
- Do not enter damaged or flooded buildings until emergency services advise it is safe to do so.
- Wear strong boots, gloves, a face mask and protective clothing while cleaning up.
- Wash your hands and clothes regularly.
Depending on your situation you should:
- contact your insurer to make a claim or arrange permanent repairs.
- contact a professional tradesperson to repair damage or remove debris, if required.
- remember to always ask tradespersons for identification to make sure they’re legitimate.
If you need to organise repairs to your home, Consumer Affairs Victoria has recovery advice to help with clean up, repairs and building issues.
The Victorian Building Authority provides advice for residents about what they can do if their property is impacted by storms.
Insurance
Call your insurance company to organise any insurance matters and remember to take photos of damage.
If your property is damaged, the Insurance Council of Australia has information about:
You can also contact:
- A financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline - 1800 007 007
- The Australian Financial Complaints Authority for independent dispute resolution for financial complaints
- Disaster Legal Help Victoria to speak to someone about your legal questions
Health and wellbeing
People can have varied reactions after a disaster. there is practical information and advice for:
- Helping yourself after a disaster
- Helping a friend or family member after a disaster
- Helping older adults after a disaster
- Understanding how frightening events can affect children
Support for people impacted by family violence
There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone.
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by family violence. To talk to someone:
- Call 1800 737 732
- Text something like “hello” to 0458 737 732, or
- Chat online at 1800respect.org.au
Reach out for support
If you or a loved one needs extra support, there are services that can help:
- Reach out to family, friends or neighbours
- Contact your GP
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Injured native animals
If you find an injured native animal you can contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300 or find the closest wildlife carers and organisations using this tool.
Last updated 11:00am Monday 10 February 2025