Disaster information for communities
The North Coast is one of Australia’s most disaster-prone regions, regularly experiencing floods, bushfires, heatwaves and other climate-related events that impact communities, health services and infrastructure.
Being prepared can help reduce the impacts of disasters and emergencies. This page provides information and resources to help you understand local risks, prepare for emergencies, and connect with services that support recovery.
Supporting communities before, during and after disasters
Disasters can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. As your Primary Health Network, we work alongside healthcare providers, community organisations, emergency services and government agencies to help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Before a disaster, we support planning and preparedness. During an emergency, we help connect people with health information and services, while working with partners to understand and respond to community needs. After a disaster, we focus on recovery by supporting access to healthcare, mental health and wellbeing services, and helping communities rebuild stronger and more resilient futures.
Our commitment is to stand alongside communities every step of the way, ensuring health and wellbeing remain at the centre of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Before a disaster
In our region disaster and emergency events can occur with little warning and can have serious impacts on your health, safety and wellbeing. Being prepared and planning ahead is the best way to reduce your risk. There are some key steps that you can take:
- Know your risk – every disaster affects health differently
- Understand which hazards are most likely where you live.
- Talk with your GP about how heat, bushfire, storms or floods may affect your health.
- Prepare both a home emergency plan and a travel emergency plan.
- Learn where safe places and evacuation routes are in your community.
- Protect access to health care
- Register for My Health Record.
- Maintain current prescriptions.
- Keep medications available if isolated.
- Take medicines and prescriptions when travelling.
- Use Healthdirect when normal healthcare access is disrupted.
- Stay connected
- Stay socially connected.
- Join a local community resilience network.
- Volunteer where appropriate.
- Look after neighbours and people who may need support.
- Seek help early during and after disaster events.
During a disaster
During a disaster or emergency incident, you should act and respond by implementing your Emergency Plan and ensure you have your Emergency Kit with all essential medicines and equipment readily available.
Use the resources below to access important information and support. These resources can help you stay informed, understand what action to take, and access assistance during an emergency.
Emergency support resources
Evacuation preparation:
You may be told to evacuate by text message, a phone call to your landline, someone at your door, or a warning siren.
Follow the instructions to leave immediately.
Grab your medication, batteries, and emergency kit if you have one, and supplies for 3 to 7 days.
Assist household members who need extra help evacuating.
Tell your neighbours and friends of your decision and assist them, if you can.
If there’s time before you leave, turn off the power, gas, water, and lock doors and windows.
Stay with friends or family in a safe location, if you can, or in rented accommodation
Check evacuation routes are open via Live Traffic.
View information on the evacuation centres including opening times and locations for Northern NSW. This list will be updated as more centres are established.
View NSW Evacuation Centre Information
For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call NSW SES on 132 500 In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero 000.
Northern NSW Sever Weather update
Natural Disaster Declaration – Support is now available for Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter residents, businesses and primary producers impacted by NSW East Coast Severe Weather from 18 May 2025. For more information on the support available visit our flood recovery page.
Stay informed by downloading the Hazards Near Me (Download for iOS | Download for Android) which will include the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.
View SES website for more details.
NSW Live Traffic provides updates on road closures, road upgrades and road works, traffic cameras and traffic incidents.
View NSW Live Traffic.
Stay up to date with the latest weather information.
Local coverage can be found on ABC radio on the following frequencies.
NSW North Coast Richmond and
Tweed: 94.5 FM
Murwillumbah: 720 AM
Grafton: 738 AM
Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast Coffs Harbour/Grafton/Kempsey: 92.3 FM and 684 AM
Port Macquarie/Manning River: 95.5 FM
Recovery and wellbeing
Recovery after an emergency can take time. The resources below provide information and support to help you and your community recover, including mental health and wellbeing support and access to local assistance.
Supporting North Coast communities
Healthy North Coast has played a leading role in disaster recovery across the North Coast, supporting communities impacted by bushfires, floods and other emergencies. Through initiatives such as the Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program, flood recovery grants, mental health and wellbeing programs, community leadership projects and healthcare recovery initiatives. We have commissioned the investment of millions of dollars into locally led solutions that strengthen wellbeing, social connection and resilience. Working alongside communities, healthcare providers, Aboriginal organisations, government agencies and community groups, we help people recover, rebuild and prepare for future challenges.
