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[Animated video: View of a fenced house, greenhouse and garage with two parked cars. It is raining. A stream of floodwater flows down the road. The water level increases and goes up the driveway under the cars and up the walls of the buildings.]
Voice: During storms, flash flooding can occur. Water moves very quickly over land, creating temporary fast-flowing streams and naturally travels to the lowest point where it pools. When floodwater enters your property, it can damage your home and belongings and can put your family at risk. Landscaping, fences and garden sheds can cause blockages and direct water into your home. Parking cars and placing buildings in low-lying areas could cause them to flood.
[Video: A stream of floodwater flows down a steep hill, past three residential buildings and towards a road.]
Voice: Risk of damage is increased for properties and steep catchments close to streams and in urban areas.
[Video: View of a built-up urban area, with townhouses and apartments. Two cars are submerged as water floods between the buildings and towards the road.]
[Video: A woman, small girl and man stand outside a house that has a narrow stream across the road.]
Voice: Understanding your flood risk and managing the flow of stormwater is a key way to prepare your whānau and your property.
[Video: Section title - 'Things you can do to reduce flood damage'. A woman and man watch a television presenter point to a map of Auckland and the surrounding area. This is a live weather warning that shows points of heavy rain and thunder.]
Voice: When heavy rain is expected, here are some things you can do to reduce damage and get ready.
[Video: A scene in the countryside. Heavy clouds are overhead and it is raining. Livestock and a ute are moved to higher ground as floodwater approaches.]
Voice: Move cars, valuable items and livestock from low-lying areas.
[Video: A man stands on a ladder and removes leaves from the guttering of a house. Floodwater is moving towards the house. He then picks up leaves from the end of a guttering pipe at ground level and the water drains away.]
[Video: An outside area with items such as a barbeque. Leaves are covering a drain grate. The items are removed and a broom sweeps the leaves away.]
Voice: Check gutters and drains are clear from debris so water can drain away quickly and not pool around your home. Keep your property clear of materials that could be picked up by flood waters and create a blockage.
[Video: Valuables such as jewellery and documents are put into a plastic box that is placed on the top of a tall cabinet.]
[Video: View of a house and garage. The garage door opens to reveal a person sleeping inside. An arrow points to the basement under the house.]
Voice: Store valuables and important documents in high places and ensure that areas that might flood, such as garages and basements are not used for sleeping.
[Video: A backpack with emergency supplies: torch, batteries, medicine, bottled water, tinned food, map, matches, toilet paper, face mask, whistle, baby bottle, pet food and warm clothing.]
Voice: Have your grab bag and emergency plan ready in case you need to evacuate.
[Video: Section title - 'Ways to reduce the impact of future floods'. View of a house. Floodwater starts to go up the sloping driveway but then flows away down the road.]
Voice: When planning or maintaining your property, consider ways to reduce the impact of future floods. Ensure your driveway access is high enough that water stays on the road rather than down your driveway into your property.
[Video: View of a house. Floodwater moves down across landscaped plants and stones away from the house. The house moves up to sit on piles and there is empty space underneath.]
[Video: View of a house on piles. There is floodwater on the property. The fence changes to a style with a gap underneath. The water flows down the slope away from the house, under the fence and down the road. The driveway changes from plain concrete to permeable paving.]
[Video: View of a house on piles and fence with a gap underneath. A greenhouse moves higher up the slope next to the house and floodwater moves past the greenhouse down the slope.]
Voice: When landscaping ensure the ground is shaped to direct water away from your home. Your floor should be higher than the surrounding land. Make sure the path of the water isn’t blocked by solid fences or buildings. Allow a gap under the fence to allow water to flow. Where possible, use materials that allow water to drain through them like grass and permeable paving instead of concrete. Avoid placing new buildings in low areas.
[Video: Heading - 'Flood Resilience Products'. A man and woman wearing hard hats and safety vests stand in front of a house. The man points to a door guard and an air vent cover appears at the bottom of the house.]
[Video: Heading - 'Flood Damage'. A home insurance document.]
Voice: Talk to a specialist supplier about products you can install in your home, such as temporary door guards and air vent covers. Check whether your home insurance covers flood damage.
[Video scene 1: View of a stream in front of three houses. Heavy clouds are overhead and it is raining. The stream fills with water that moves closer to the houses.]
[Video scene 2: Close-up view of the overflowing stream. Rubbish and other debris are floating in the water. The debris disappears and the stream returns to normal. Plants appear along both sides of the stream].
Voice: If you have a stream running through or near your property, it’s natural for it to overtop in heavy rain. To reduce the risk of flood damage, keep the stream free from debris which can cause blockages and obstruct the flow of water. Plant stream banks to reduce erosion. Choose native plants that lie flat or have narrow trunks to allow water to flow freely.
[Video: Section title - 'Resource and building consents'. A stack of documents and floor plans. Auckland Council URL for building and consents website section is displayed (www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents).]
Voice: Find out on the Auckland Council website if you need a resource and/or building consent for any work you want to undertake on your property.
[Video: View of two houses with garages. Floodwater pools around both garages and moves down the two driveways to form a narrow stream moving down the road. One house is on piles and has permeable paving. The fence style changes to have a gap underneath. The water flows away from the properties].
Voice: If you make alterations to your land, remember to consider how this may impact your neighbours and avoid changes that many increase flood risk elsewhere.
[Video: Auckland Council’s Flood Viewer website page showing a map of Auckland and a key to the types of flooding that will be shown on the map: flood plains, flood prone areas, overland flow paths and coastal inundation. A mobile phone appears showing the Flood Viewer app. Auckland Council’s URL for the Flood Viewer website page is displayed (www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/floodviewer.)]
Voice: Find out if your property is at risk from flooding on Auckland Council’s Flood Viewer. For more information on what to do during a flood, watch our other videos.
[Video: Auckland Council logo of a pōhutukawa flower over water and Auckland Emergency Management logo.]
[Video ends.]
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