Emergencies and Disasters
The information on this page will assist you to:
- understand the support that your council and state government can provide before, during and after an emergency
- identify who to contact for emergency assistance
- improve your understanding of emergencies.
Be prepared
Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time and affect anyone.
It is important to plan and prepare for emergencies to help reduce the impact and recover more quickly.
To find out how prepared you are, take the following quiz:
Before, during and after an emergency
You can contact the Council for any non-life-threatening emergencies on our after-hours number: 08 8553 4500.
If you have a life-threatening or urgent situation dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for ambulance, fire or police depending on the type of emergency.
Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time and affect anyone.
It is important to plan and prepare for emergencies to help reduce the impact and recover more quickly.
Before an emergency
Take the quiz to find out how prepared you are for an emergency and get ready.
During an emergency
Emergency contacts
If you have a life-threatening or urgent situation dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for ambulance, fire or police depending on the type of emergency.
For a list of emergency numbers go to how to report an emergency and crisis helplines.
Where to find current alerts and emergency warnings
Your local ABC radio station is the official emergency broadcaster delivering warnings and alerts.
Find information about current alerts and emergency warnings on the SA.GOV.AU website.
Emergency services and the state government issue advice and warning messages to the public through websites, smartphone apps, television and radio broadcasts, mobile phone SMS messages and posts on social media.
Where to shelter in an emergency
Housing SA may establish relief centres to provide support in an emergency event.
Relief centres provide immediate and short-term shelter, food and drink, and emotional support during an emergency event.
The location of relief centres will be advertised through the media, at the time of the incident.
In the event of a bushfire, if you have a bushfire survival plan and you plan to leave early, it is important that you know where to go. Use the CFS interactive maps to find the bushfire safer places and last resort refuges.
After an emergency
Red Cross provides general information about disaster recovery including what services may be offered and how they are provided.
Following a major emergency, the South Australian recovery hotline and Red Cross provide information for those needing or offering help.
Council may help with recovery operations including:
- Damage assessments
- Clearance of roads and bridges
- Removal of debris
- Clean-up and disposal
- Environmental remediation and restoration.
Council services will be advertised at the time of the incident on this site and other media.
Recovery centres
The state government may establish recovery centres as a one-top-shop to provide access to all services available to affected communities.
The location of recovery centres will be advertised at the time of the incident on Facebook (SARecoveryInfo) and other media.
Types of emergency
Bushfire
For emergency assistance during a bushfire dial Triple Zero (000).
Prepare for a bushfire - Country Fire Service (CFS).
During a bushfire - CFS warning and incidents and Alert SA event and warning information.
After a bushfire - SA.GOV.AU for information about a specific bushfire recovery event and general bushfire recovery.
Flood
For emergency assistance during a flood event call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.
Prepare for a flood - South Australian State Emergency Service (SES).
During a flood - Alert SA event and warning information and South Australian State Emergency (SES).
After a flood - SA.GOV.AU for information about a specific flood recovery event and general flood recovery.
Extreme storm
For emergency assistance during a storm event call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.
For information before, during and after a storm go to South Australian State Emergency (SES).
For warnings and alerts go to Alert SA event and warning information.
House fire
For emergency assistance in a house fire dial Triple Zero (000).
For information before, during and after a house fire go to SA.GOV.AU.
Human disease
For information about infectious diseases, disease prevention and flu pandemics go to SA.GOV.AU.
Terrorism
Report suspicious activity to the National Security Hotline 1800 123 400 or SA Police 131 444.
To find out what to do before, during and after a terrorist incident go to SA.GOV.AU.
Other emergencies
For information on more types of emergencies, visit the following SA.GOV.AU topics below:
Donating and volunteering
The best way to help after an emergency is by:
- donating cash
- volunteering by registering with Volunteering SA & NT.