During an emergency

The VicEmergency website provides the Victorian community with one, centralised location for emergency warnings and information. The site includes all warnings for fires, hazardous material incidents, storms, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and traffic hazards. Download the app or save the Website as a favourite with your set watch zones to be notified of events in your area.

Visit the VicEmergency website

• Enact your fire plan
• In life threatening emergency call 000 (triple zero)
• Listen to the local radio for emergency information updates

About Fire Danger Warnings (CFA) describes the warning system used during fire.

West Wimmera Shire Council has designated two Neighbourhood Safer Places - Places of Last Resort (NSP-PLR) (please note that these are not locations to relocate to when leaving early):

• Apsley Recreation Reserve
• Dergholm Recreation Reserve
• Edenhope - Lake Wallace Reserve

Further information including GPS coordinates available on the Neighbourhood Safer Places website.

There are various websites and social media pages that publish current and regularly updated information.

• Enact your plan
• For emergency assistance during flood or storm call VICSES on 132 500
• In life threatening emergency call 000
• Listen to the local radio for emergency information updates
• Visit VicEmergency for the latest warnings and advice
• Do not drive through flood water. Information on road closures at VicRoads traffic.

Usefull links:

• SES sandbagging guide
• SES flood information for West Wimmera Shire Council
• Flood Victoria

Duration of a heatwave can vary greatly with the length increasing the risks to everyone. During a heatwave it is important that we not only look after ourselves but those around us such as infants and elderly. Make sure infants remain hydrated as they can quickly become dehydrated and check on your neighbours to make sure they are all OK on a daily basis until the heatwave is over.

• Slow down. On a hot day don't perform strenuous activities.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light coloured clothing.
• Drink plenty of water (your body needs water to keep cool)
• Spend more time in air conditioned places.
• If you don't have air conditioning, then have plenty of fans.
• Don't get too much sun. Heatstroke, heat exhaustion and sunstroke are possible.
• If someone gets heatstroke or heat exhaustion seek medical attention immediately.

 For more information visit:

• Better Health
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Coping with hot weather

For information about caring for pets and animals and preventing them from suffering heatstroke, visit the RSPCA website.

Droughts come in a variety of duration's and intensities and can affect people in a variety of ways depending on their current circumstances. All droughts can cause stress to the family farm and the family unit.

Livestock management

In relation to managing a farm during a drought Agriculture Victoria has a number of publications to assist with livestock management and water supplies:

• Animal health in a drought
• Animals in hot conditions

Personal management

What us just as critical during a drought as farm management is people (family) management. If you are dealing with stressful events you might find it helpful to talk them over with a local GP or with a member of the clergy. You might also find it useful to contact a resilience or personal support service or a telephone help line:

For assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week you can contact:

Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

Family Relationship Services – 1800 050 321

Lifeline – 131 114

Mensline – 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800

There are a range of counselling services and useful publications including Coping with Stress and Suggestions for Farm Families in Crisis. 

Financial Management

Farm Household Allowance

Rural Financial Counselling Service

Taxation Measures - Australian Taxation Office

Council

When a drought has been declared a range of other services might be provided to the community.