Tips for extreme weather preparedness from the Australian Red Cross

Preparedness and safety messages

The Australian Red Cross encourages individuals, workplaces and communities to prepare early and stay informed. Zurich encourages our broker and adviser partners to amplify official Red Cross and emergency service advice across workplace and community.

Heatwaves

As the frequency and intensity of heatwaves increase across Australia, the Australian Red Cross recommends the following actions to help prepare for extreme heat:

• Get in the know, get connected, get organised and get packing
• Check on neighbours, colleagues, clients and community members who may be more vulnerable
• Stay hydrated, keep cool and use heat refuges where available
• Monitor official forecasts and warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology

Bushfires

The Australian Red Cross focuses on early, people centred action for communities who are impacted by bushfire including:

• Have a clear bushfire plan and act early
  • Know your safest routes
  • Know where you would go
  • Know what you will do if conditions worsen suddenly
• Monitor warnings from Australian Warning System or your state based
• Don’t leave it to the last minute — early action saves lives
• Check in on family, neighbours and loved ones, and ensure your emergency kit is ready

Floods

Floods can rise rapidly and create serious safety risks. The Australian Red Cross emphasises that even shallow floodwater can be dangerous, and early, informed decisions can significantly reduce harm and urges communities to:

• Never drive, walk or ride through floodwater
• Know your local flood risk, where you would go if you need to leave, and how you will stay in touch with loved ones
• Plan early for isolation, power outages and access to essential supplies
• Act early on official warnings

The Australian Red Cross website also provides practical preparedness information that can be shared as a helpful reference during emergencies.

Register. Find. Reunite. - Helping people stay connected

The Australian Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite service plays a vital role during evacuations and displacement.

Please share these key messages widely:

• If you are leaving, staying, or have been affected by an emergency, you can register at register.redcross.org.au
• Registering helps family, friends and emergency services know you are safe
• Privacy is protected, and individuals control what information is shared
• People can also register in person at evacuation or relief centres

Supporting Your People

Zurich encourages brokers and workplaces to:

• Support employees in affected areas to prioritise their safety
• Follow official emergency instructions
• Use wellbeing supports such as EAP services where available
• Register with Register.Find.Reunite if displaced or relocating

Remember if you have any customers who are impacted by severe weather events or natural disaster we are here to help.