Major rainfall is presenting a significant flood risk. The Gold Coast has experienced a record three days of rainfall, with rescue teams receiving over 300 emergency calls over the three-day period. Meanwhile Adelaide’s emergency services responded to 160 emergency calls during its recent storm.
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and out of flooding season, there here has never been a more important time for Australian business to review their flood preparedness plans.
With CSIRO’s reports suggesting that rainfall events will only continue to become more severe, commercial property insurer, FM, understands the importance of improving resilience.
“Severe rainfall periods are no longer just weather events; they are real risks to the longevity of local businesses and their operations” Michael Hunneyball, FM’s Operations Chief Engineer says.
“Just last year we saw the Brisbane City Council update its flood maps to add over 10,000 properties to high-risk areas. This, combined with Australia’s latest climate risk exposure of 68% in FM’s 2026 Resilience Index, highlights the need for ongoing flood mitigation.”
“Severe rainfall events carry a range of different risks for businesses beyond just structural damage. Downtime periods need to be considered as well as the presence of contaminants that can increase clean-up costs and pose health risks to workers.”
“It is increasingly important for businesses to conduct regular risk assessments and engage with engineering experts to identify vulnerabilities and update preparedness plans, to help keep operations moving.”
To successfully mitigate against these risks, FM recommends businesses take the following steps:
- Conduct regular risk assessments
Conduct regular risk assessments and implement detailed Flood Emergency Response Plans (FERPs) to help workers make more informed risk management decisions and ensure emergency response teams are adequately trained in evacuation procedures and communication protocols.
- Implement engineering solutions to support loss prevention
Businesses should also look for engineering solutions that support loss prevention. For example, installing FM-approved flood abatement products such as barriers, protective equipment, and proper drainage can help to fortify facilities against flood damage. Additionally, shutting off electricity sources and moving stock, equipment, and high-value items to safer locations can minimise potential losses.
- Leveraging local resources
Engaging with local communities and suppliers can further bolster support and resource availability during disasters. This involves speaking with local emergency services to advise on the best resilience measures if disaster strikes.
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