During an Emergency

The Hazards near me Hotline provides information during and after major incidents in New South Wales. It also offers information to help householders, landowners, and small businesses plan for and recover from emergencies.

You can reach them by calling 138 737.

Leave early

Put your plan in place – if you plan to leave, leave early.

Alerts and warnings

The Australian Warning System

The Australian Warning System is a national approach to information and warnings for hazards like bushfire, flood, storm, cyclone, extreme heat, and severe weather.

There are three warning levels:

  1. Advice – an incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
  2. Watch and Act – there is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing, and you need to start taking action now to protect yourself and your family.
  3. Emergency Warning – an Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

Keep ahead of news and information

In an emergency, stay aware and keep informed.

Emergency NSW is the central place for warnings and information on all hazards, including fire, flood, storm, tsunami, earthquake, landslide, and more. 

Always use more than one reputable source for warnings such as:

You may also receive a phone warning via the National Emergency Alert System. Telephone Alerts are not used in all circumstances and depend on the nature of the incident. You should not wait to receive a Telephone Alert before you act.

Road closures 

It’s important to stay informed of potential danger on roads when leaving your property so you can drive safely throughout the Federation Council during an emergency.

View Live Traffic NSW.

Emergency Relief Centres

Emergency Relief Centres provide the basic needs of people displaced by an emergency event. 

Homes NSW establishes these Emergency Relief Centres on a short-term basis to provide temporary shelter, food, registration and related emergency assistance. Emergency Relief Centres may not open for every event.

The location of an Emergency Relief Centre is only advertised to the community after all details of the emergency are known.

Seek accommodation with family and friends first. This is a better option during an emergency as an Emergency Relief Centre may be crowded, noisy, hot or cold. It also ensures that those who need it most are a accommodated. 

Animals at an Emergency Relief Centre

There is likely to be minimal provision for animals at an Emergency Relief Centre. Please consider the following expectations:

  • Make short-term accommodation arrangements for your pets, for example with friends or family outside of the affected area or at a boarding facility.
  • All animals are to be under the control of their owner and confined to a cage or leash at all times.
  • Council will assist where possible to provide short-term relocation of livestock and horses.
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