Before the weather hits

Plan ahead

A little preparation now can make a big difference later.

• Make a simple emergency plan for your household (including pets), so everyone knows what to do if conditions worsen.
• Put together an emergency kit with water and non‑perishable food to last three days, toilet paper and hand sanitiser, torches, spare batteries and a battery‑powered radio.
• Pack a grab bag you can take quickly if you need to leave. Include essential medication, identification, cash and coins, chargers, toiletries, snacks and a change of clothes.
• Choose a safe place inside your home to shelter during severe weather, ideally away from windows, skylights and glass doors.

You can also find helpful guidance on emergency supplies and household preparedness at getready.govt.nz.

Know your home and surroundings

Understanding local risks can make it easier to act early.

• Know the risks in your area, such as flooding, coastal inundation, high winds or snow. Council websites and LIM reports can help.
• Secure loose outdoor items like trampolines, outdoor furniture and barbeques. Turning trampolines upside down can help stop them lifting. Remove or secure shade sails, umbrellas and canopies.
• Protect vehicles early. Park under cover if hail is forecast or move cars to higher ground if flooding is a risk.
• Trim trees and shrubs regularly, especially damaged or weak branches.
• Know how to turn off power, gas and water if it’s safe to do so.
• Lift valuables off the floor in flood‑prone areas, or use temporary barriers like sandbags where suitable.
• Consider keeping a simple digital record of your belongings. Photos or a short video of your home and key items can be helpful if you ever need them later.

Look after your home

Homes that are well maintained are often better able to withstand severe weather.

• Check your roof before winter, and keep gutters, downpipes and stormwater drains clear so water can drain freely.

During severe weather

Your wellbeing matters most.

• Stay indoors and avoid travel unless advised otherwise.
• Close doors, windows, curtains and blinds to help reduce injury from debris or broken glass.
• Stay informed through radio updates or advice from the New Zealand Civil Defence and emergency services.
• Follow official instructions immediately, including evacuation advice.
• Avoid driving through floodwater, it’s often deeper and more dangerous than it looks.
• Avoid contact with floodwater, which can be contaminated. If unavoidable, wear protective footwear and gloves.

After the weather has passed

Once conditions ease, take care when returning home if you’ve evacuated. Only return once the New Zealand Civil Defence or Government has confirmed it’s safe.

• Watch for hazards such as damaged roofs, fallen trees or downed power lines. Avoid floodwater and mud, which can contain contaminants.
• Check your home carefully before turning power or gas back on.
• Take photos of damage once it’s safe, before cleaning up, for your own records.
• If it’s safe to do so, prevent further damage, for example by covering broken windows or turning off water if a pipe has burst.