The City of Mitcham is prone to flooding in some areas from Brown Hill and Minno Creeks.

The Brown Hill Creek begins near Eagle on the Hill and Crafers and flows westwards towards the Patawolonga before heading out to sea. The Minno Creek begins in Belair National Park and flows southwards towards Sturt River in Coromandel Valley.

During heavy rains the runoff from the rural land above the urban area contributes significantly to the flood water levels in the Brown Hill and Minno Creeks. As the water flows into the urban area flood levels may be greater than the capacity of these creeks. All areas that are near a water course or are low lying are at risk of being flooded.

A flood mitigation study for the Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks catchment has been completed by consultants WorleyParsons. The study includes the park lands and Glen Osmond Creeks and will form the basis of a Stormwater Flood Management Master Plan for the Cities of Mitcham, Unley, Burnside, Adelaide and West Torrens in catchment.

Debris blocking creeks and drains obstruct the water flow increasing the risk of flooding.

Water in the flooded creeks can travel as fast as 6 metres per second in large volumes with flood waters reaching heights of more than 2.5 metres.

If your property is near a watercourse or is low-lying, it could be flooded, even if you have never seen floodwaters there before.

A flood mitigation study for Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks catchment, including park lands and Glen Osmond Creeks was undertaken culminating in a Brown Hill Keswick Creek Stormwater Draft Stormwater Management Plan for the catchment.

Minimise your risk of flood damage before flooding occurs there are a few simple things you and your family can do to stay safe and protect your property.

Emergency Assistance

The City of Mitcham has a 'Joint Flood Response Plan' in partnership with the State Emergency Service.

In times of flooding both organisations work together to protect the City of Mitcham and its residents.

For emergency assistance during a flooding event call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 (24 hours) or the City of Mitcham on 8374 7722 or 8366 0588 if your call is after hours.

How you can help prevent flooding

Residents can help prevent properties being flooded by taking these steps.

Keep creeks clear of debris

A large proportion of Mitcham's creeks are privately owned. If you are the owner of a section of a creek, please ensure it is free from debris to assist with preventing your property from being flooded. Remember never enter a creek when it is in flood.

If you see debris blocking a public section of a creek (most commonly in reserves and parks), please call the City of Mitcham so that it can be removed. Debris includes large, fallen branches, excessive amounts of leaves and trees growing into or across creek lines.

Keep drains free of debris

If you see debris blocking a street drain please call the City of Mitcham so that it can be removed.

Sweep up fallen street tree leaves

The City of Mitcham encourages residents to become involved in their extensive street sweeping program by sweeping up fallen street tree leaves and contacting the City of Mitcham to arrange to have them collected.

Set up a community working bee

Contact your neighbours and arrange a working bee to work together to clear the creeks, drains and leaves and become informed about factors that affect flooding in your neighbourhood.

For further information, or to arrange a visit from a Council Officer please contact the City of Mitcham.

Before, during and after a flood

Never

• Ignore flood warnings.
• Drink floodwater.
• Eat food that has been in floodwater.
• Play in floodwater.
• Drive or walk in floodwater unless absolutely necessary.
• Enter floodwater until you have assessed the depth and current.
• Use any electrical system or appliance until checked by an electrician.
• Enter water higher than knee depth.

How you can prevent flood water entering your home

You may be able to prevent flood water entering your property by taking these steps.

Prepare your home

When you are aware that a flood is imminent, place wooden shields across doors, windows and external vents to prevent water entering your property.

For expected flood levels of one metre or less flood proof your home using flood shields to stop water entering through doors and gates.

Shields can be made in advance from 22mm thick timber panel sealed with rubber and cut to fit the size of each entrance that can easily be held in place with screws or sandbags.

For expected flood levels of over one metre consult an engineer prior to using flood shields to assess the threat of walls collapsing under the water pressure.

A similar treatment can be done to seal external wall vents. Door and window seals can also be fitted to stop water entering your home. In ground-level rooms consider alternatives to carpets such as rugs on tiled floors. Tiled walls are less likely to be damaged and are easily cleaned.

Prepare your family

To minimise damage from flooding it is essential that you and your family establish an Emergency Flood Plan.

The plan should include:

• Deciding on which items to raise if water threatens your home.
• A list of dangerous items (eg chemicals) that you have which will need to be elevated or waterproofed.
• Ask your insurance company if you are covered for flood damage.
• Prepare an Emergency Flood Kit.
• Make each member of your family aware of your emergency plan and emergency kit, and their location.
• Arrange where you would meet or how to contact each other if you were separated in an emergency.
• Information on how to access flood warnings and what they mean.
• Find out what your risk is.
• Find out what floods have occurred before in your area.
• Find out how to seal all openings to your home such as doors and wall vents.

Before a flood

• Advise neighbours of impending flood and offer assistance when possible.
• Make arrangements for your pets.
• Empty freezers and refrigerators and leave doors open.
• Roll up rugs and move to a higher level.
• Secure hazardous items.
• Monitor Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and warnings via their website or radio.
• Move electrical appliances to a higher level.
• Shift chemicals that may react with water to a higher level.
• Place important documents, personal effects and vital medical supplies in a waterproof case and move to a safe and easily accessible place in case you have to evacuate.
• Place furniture on beds and personal items on the furniture.
• Secure any item that may become buoyant in your yard (gas bottles, drums, timber etc).

Sandbags

The City of Mitcham can supply residents with empty sandbags that can be filled with sand or soil.

• Keep the sand bags empty and dry until you need to use them.
• Regularly renew sandbags as hessian can quickly rot.

To arrange for sandbags to be delivered phone 8374 7722.

During a flood

• If flood water enters your home switch off electricity at the switchboard.
• Turn off the main gas valve at the meter.
• Turn off the water at the water meter.
• Block the toilet bowl with a strong plastic bag filled with earth or sand to prevent a back flow of sewage into your home.
• Cover drains in showers, baths, laundries etc with a strong plastic bag filled with earth or sand to prevent a back flow of sewage into your home.
• If you evacuate ensure you tell a neighbour or friend where you are going.

Walking and driving in flood waters

• Do not walk or drive in water of unknown depth or current.
• Avoid walking or driving in flood waters.
• Watch out for washouts, floating objects or hidden obstacles.
• Drive slowly and when out of the water dry out the brakes.

After a flood

• Before entering your property make sure it is safe to do so.
• Wait until the water has dropped below floor level.
• Do not turn on any lights or appliances until a qualified electrician has checked the entire electrical system in your home, including appliances.

Emergency Flood Kit

Collect the items below and store in a safe and convenient location.

• First aid supplies.
• Torches (at least two).
• Battery operated portable radio.
• Spare batteries (for above).
• Rubber boots/gloves/dry clothing.
• List of emergency contact numbers.

Flood Warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology provides information on current weather forecasts and warnings via the:

• Radio.
• Television.
• Bureau of Meteorology website www.bom.gov.au.
• Land, Weather and Flood Forecasts phone 1300 659 215.
• Metro Area Forecasts phone 1196.

For assistance in developing a Flood Response Plan visit http://www.ses.sa.gov.au/

Mitcham Creek System

Further Information

For further information on what you can do to help yourself during a flood contact:

State Emergency Service

GPO Box 2706
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Phone: 8463 4171
Facsimile: 8410 3115  

Emergency: 132 500

www.ses.sa.gov.au

City of Mitcham

131 Belair Road
TORRENS PARK SA 5062
Phone: 8372 8888
Facsimile: 8372 8101

Emergency: 8374 7722

mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Download a copy of Flooding in the City of Mitcham.