After an emergency

If your property or business has been impacted, the steps below may help guide your immediate actions. Please read through this information carefully - it could save you time and stress during recovery.

Rapid assessments:

Before starting any clean-up or washout, it's important that flood damage is assessed by the relevant emergency or recovery agencies. We understand the urgency to begin recovery, but waiting for assessments and taking clear photos of the damage helps ensure coordinated support and can make it easier for your community to access assistance.

Contact your insurer:

If your home or business is insured, contact your provider before beginning any clean-up. Ask:

• What’s covered under your policy?
• How should you dispose of flood-damaged goods?
• What evidence or documentation is required?

Take clear, dated photos of all damage before removing or moving items.

 The Insurance Council of Australia coordinates industry and Government liaison during the recovery phase of a disaster event. For more information on the Insurance Council's Disaster Response, visit disasters.org.au

Legal Aid NSW and LawAccess NSW offer free legal advice and support. For further information about dealing with an insurance company after your property has been damaged, view Legal Aid's guide on What to do after a natural disaster

The NSW Small Business Commissioner has also developed a guide to assist small business owners in the recovery phrase, guiding them through the often complicated insurance claims process and providing advice if they encounter issues with providers.

Before entering your property:

• Check for structural damage - look at walls, windows, and the roof
• Be cautious of contaminants like asbestos
• Ensure electricity and gas are turned off before entering
• Use a torch (not candles or lighters) to inspect inside

Electrical & gas safety:

• Have a licensed electrician inspect any power points, appliances, or hot water systems exposed to floodwater
• Gas appliances and bottles must also be checked before use

Essential Energy offers assistance with reconnection, including fee waivers and other support. More information can be found on their flood reconnections page.

Customers can visit the Essential Energy outages page for estimated restoration times or call 132 080. 

Clean-up safety:

• Wear boots, gloves, and protective clothing
• Watch for slip, trip, and fall hazards
• Discard any food or items that came into contact with floodwater
• Only use clean utensils and personal items
• Keep a supply of fresh drinking water
• Wash hands and clothes thoroughly after contact with floodwater

Important reminders:

• Stay in your area - sightseeing can delay recovery and put lives at risk.
• Avoid fallen powerlines.
• Check on your neighbours - some may need help.

Recovery centres provide a one stop shop for affected residents, businesses and farmers to access recovery assistance from a range of agencies and organisations.

In person:

Wauchope Senior Citizens Centre - 49 High Street, Wauchope 2446

• Monday 16 - Wednesday 18 June: 10am - 4:30pm
• Thursday 19 June: 10am - 6:30pm
• Friday 20 June: 10am - 4:30pm
• Saturday 21 June: 9am - 1pm
• Closed: Sunday 22 June

Services available:

• NSW Reconstruction Authority
• Service NSW
• NSW Health
• Rural Adversity mental Health Program
• Insurance representatives
• Legal Aid NSW
• Australian Red Cross
• Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network
• Anglicare
• Salvation Army

Over the phone:

Call our PMHC Recovery Line on 6581 8444 for advice and connection to services: Monday to Friday: 9am - 4pm

For further information please contact Council.

Do not re-enter your home or business until it has been declared safe. Check for the latest emergency alerts and road closures via Live Traffic NSW and NSW SES.

SES (Flood and Storm Emergency): 132 500

PMHC Recovery Line on 02 6581 8444 (open Monday to Friday 9:00am - 4.00pm and Saturday to Sunday 9:00am - 12:00pm) for advice and connection to services.

NSW Reconstruction Authority

Insurance Council of Australia

The following agencies offer a range of support and advice, links to their websites are included below:

• Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636, Support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention
• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800, Phone counselling service
• Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14, Crisis support and suicide prevention
• headspace - 1800 650 890, National Youth Mental Health Foundation
• NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511

We know our community is always ready to lend a hand. If you're looking for a way to support others during the recovery, making a donation is a meaningful way to help.

We encourage all donations to be made through GIVIT, a secure and coordinated platform connecting those who want to give with those in need.

Please don’t drop off goods unless there’s been a specific request - unrequested items can create challenges in already impacted areas.

If you are an individual or business impacted by the recent floods you may be eligible for disaster recovery funding. Please visit NSW East Coast Severe Weather grants, payments and financial support.

The Australian Government is also offering a Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child. 

The Office of Emergency Management provides support and guidance on disaster assistance.

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority may be able to provide assistance to primary producers and small businesses that have suffered loss or damage due to a natural disaster.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council financial support for flood-affected residents:
If recent flooding has impacted you and you're experiencing difficulty paying your rates or water accounts, please contact Council on (02) 6581 8111.

The following agencies provide practical support and guidance for recovering from an emergency:

• Red Cross: Recover from disasters
• SES: Recovery Guide
• NSW Small Business Commissioner: Get back to business - A guide to recovering from disaster

If you’ve been impacted by recent flood events, there are a number of services and resources available to help you, your family, and your property recover. Recovery can be a long process, and it’s important to take care of yourself and those around you.

Rural Assistance Authority

The Rural Assistance Authority $25,000 Natural Disaster Relief Grants are now available in local government areas impacted by the NSW East Coast severe weather event that began on 18 May 2025.

In addition, $10,000 Rural Landholder Grants are available to rural landholders and aquaculture producers in local government areas declared for the NSW East Coast severe weather event, however do not qualify for the Natural Disaster Relief Grant.

There are also concessional loans or transport subsidies available for primary producers. View the subsidies available here.

Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline

For urgent animal welfare needs, the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline is available on 1800 814 647. This service provides animal assessment and welfare assistance, veterinary advice, and, where necessary, support with euthanasia or burial of impacted livestock.

Complete the Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment (PinDDA) survey

Completing this survey helps the Department of Primary Industries understand the scale and location of damage. The data guides recovery efforts, funding, and support distribution across the region. Complete the survey.

Rural Aid

Rural Aid offers a range of services including financial assistance, fodder and water deliveries, free counselling, and volunteer support through the Farm Army program. Visit the Rural Aid website to access available services.

Local land services

Have specific advice on activities land managers can do to assist in the recovery of their property following a flood. View the flood recovery information here.

To support the community’s recovery following the May 2025 weather event, Council is offering free kerbside collection and waste disposal service for flood-affected homes and businesses.

Kerbside flood waste collection:

To assist with safe and efficient disposal, please sort flood-affected waste into separate piles:

• Green waste
• Whitegoods
• Scrap metal
• General/ other
• Household chemicals (please ensure items are clearly labelled and in original containers where possible)

Free disposal at Council waste facilities:

Flood-damaged waste will be accepted free of charge at all Council waste facilities.

This waiver will remain in place until Friday 30 June, allowing residents and businesses time to assess damage and undertake clean-up activities.

Take clear, dated photos of all damage before removing or moving items.

Lost or damaged bins? Visit the WasfeInfo app

In non-flood affected areas, kerbside collection continues as normal. In flood-affected areas, services may be delayed. Kerbside collection of flood-damaged waste is underway.

Lost or damaged bins? Visit the WasfeInfo app

If you’ve spotted damage caused by the severe weather event - such as potholes, fallen trees, blocked drains or damaged public infrastructure - please let us know.

You can report issues quickly and easily online via our Report an Issue page. This helps our teams respond and prioritise repairs across the region.

If your issue is an EMERGENCY, call us directly on (02) 6581 8111.