Financial support is available for individuals, small businesses, primary producers, and non-profits that meet the application criteria.

• For information on grants, payments and financial support for those impacted by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather from 18 May 2025, visit NSW Government
• Contact Service NSW for help to find support available to you. To speak to someone call 13 77 88.

For individuals and families:

• East Coast Severe Weather Personal Hardship Assistance - Financial assistance for individuals and families ($180 per eligible individual and $180 per eligible dependent, up to $900 per household). Applications are open until 26 June 2025.  
• Disaster Recovery Allowance - For people who have lost income as a direct result of NSW East Coast severe weather and flooding may be eligible for up to 13 weeks of income support. Applications are open until 25 November 2025.
• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) - A lump sum payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child. Applications are open until 28 November 2025. 

For businesses and primary producers: 

Grants, loans and financial assistance available for businesses recovering from emergencies and natural disasters. 

• Small business and primary producers may be eligible for concessional loans up to $130,000. Primary producers may also be eligible for transport subsidies of up to $15,000. For more information, visit financial support for business and primary producers to aid recovery after a disaster.
• Recovery grants for small businesses and not-for-profit organisations: Small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations may also be eligible for recovery grants of up to $25,000 to help clean up and restore their businesses. For more information about the program guidelines and to apply, visit Service NSW.

For non-profits, recreational and community organisations:

• Non-profits may be eligible for concessional loans of up to $25,000. Sporting and recreational clubs can apply for concessional loans of up to $10,000.

To stay up to date on available financial support and for full details, visit NSW Government 

Flood and storm events have the potential to harm your health. 

Learn about maintaining health during and after floods and storms from NSW Health.

• Injury: All cuts and abrasions should be cleaned, treated with antiseptic and covered immediately. If you have a deep cut or wound, if a wound has had contact with floodwaters or if a wound develops redness, swelling or discharge, seek immediate medical attention.
• Mould: After heavy rain or flooding you may find mould in your home. If you decide to remove mould yourself:
  • Open windows and doors where possible
  • Wear rubber gloves, eye protection, suitable shoes and a face mask before cleaning mouldy surfaces, use mild detergent or vinegar mixed with water (4 parts vinegar to 1 part water)
  • Carpet may need to be professionally cleaned or replaced. Find out more.
• Floodwater and leftover debris may be contaminated with sewage. To prevent illness, contact with floodwater should be minimised. If you experience diarrhoea or vomiting: please seek immediate medical assistance. Avoid swimming in rivers, lagoons and estuaries for at least three days after heavy rain
• Structure damage: Do not enter a damaged building or structure, unless deemed safe to do so by authorities.
• Electricity: Take great care around electricity – follow the SES Electricity Safety Tips.
• Asbestos: Be aware and stay safe around asbestos after emergencies and disasters. Cleaning up after storms, bushfires, flood, buildings fires and other incidents can involve asbestos. See: Managing asbestos in emergencies and disasters (NSW Government) and Asbestos clean-up in flood-impacted areas (EPA).
• Mosquitoes: Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Use an insect repellent on exposed skin areas and reapply every couple of hours. Cover up as much as possible with loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing.
• Insects: Be alert to snakes, spiders, rats and other wildlife that may have taken refuge in or near your home.

Please keep personal safety front-of-mind when cleaning up and disposing of waste after floods or heavy rainfall. Go to our 'clean-up safety' section of this web page for advice. 

Kerbside bin collections

• Weekly kerbside bin collections are continuing as normal. For properties on roads currently closed to vehicles, services will resume once access is restored. Please leave your bins on the kerbside (if safe to do so) until they’re collected.

Extra kerbside collections for flood-affected residents

• Central Coast Council has allocated eight extra free bulk waste collections for properties impacted by recent flooding.
• These collections have been automatically added to eligible properties in the 1Coast booking system and are available until 1 February 2026. Visit 1coast.com.au, or call 1300 1COAST (1300 126 278), Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm.
• If you’ve been affected but don’t see the extra entitlements, contact 1Coast or Council for assessment.
• Book online: 1coast.com.au, call 1300 1COAST (1300 126 278), Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm
• Learn more about how to dispose hazardous waste.

Storm debris disposal

• If you need to clear debris from your property, book a bulk kerbside collection. Alternatively, take bulk waste to one of Council’s two waste management facilities.
• The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has waived the waste levy for storm-affected residents on the Central Coast for the next three months. This applies to storm related mixed waste sent to landfill only.  Note: Green organics are not subject to the levy and fees remain unchanged.
• Please provide your name and the source address of the waste (via driver's licence or rates notice) when disposing of materials.

Sandbags disposal

To dispose of sandbags, split the hessian bags to remove sand and place in your garden somewhere it won’t wash away, if possible. Then place empty bags in the red lid garbage bin.

Seagrass (wrack) and vegetation (residential)

Council is unable to remove wrack that is above the waterline on private properties, due to insurance reasons.

• Residents that have seagrass (wrack) and vegetation debris from lake and river flooding can dispose of uncontaminated small amounts into their green waste bins.
• Larger amounts can be disposed of through the bulk kerbside green waste collection by booking through 1coast.com.au (wrack or other lose vegetation must be placed out on the kerbside in boxes or bags).
• Residents are also encouraged to use wrack as garden mulch or mowed into the lawn, once it has been left a while to leach out salts and dry. 

• Wet weather creates more potholes. We have extra staff inspecting our roads so that we can carry out timely repairs. Pothole repairs are a short-term solution for immediate safety. Council also has medium and long-term strategies to manage and prevent potholes as part of our Road Renewal Programs.
• See a pothole or urgent road issue? Report it online or call us on 4306 7900.
• View Council’s road closures.
• Road closures and impacts to traffic: www.livetraffic.com, call 132 701 or download the Live Traffic App.
• Be on alert for fallen trees during high winds as continued heavy rainfall can weaken tree roots. 

Please keep personal safety front-of-mind in areas impacted by storms, floods and other weather or ocean conditions. 

As we moved into recovery phase on the Coast, our staff continued to inspect Council infrastructure and natural spaces that we manage (such as reserves, beaches and parks) and carry out emergency works for public safety. Debris and wrack (dead sea-grass) continues to be removed as conditions allow.  

Beach erosion

• Avoid areas impacted by coastal erosion, sand loss or coastal water damage.  These areas can cause serious injury for anyone in the vicinity and may provide further risk surrounding to properties.  
• Stay away from beach escarpments, and do not intentionally collapse eroded beach escarpments - this is both dangerous and could cause further risk to properties in the immediate area.
• Please obey signage and stay behind safety fencing.

For emergency help, call NSW SES on 132 500. If life-threatening, call 000 (Triple Zero).

The risk of debris and material containing asbestos being washed ashore can increase following coastal erosion and inundation. Asbestos is dangerous only when broken up and fibres are released into the air, so the risk to public health is considered low.  However, if you come across asbestos or unknown material at the beach, avoid touching it and please contact Council or the Environment Protection Authority so it can be removed.

Read more about Coastal Erosion on the Central Coast

Water quality of our waterways

• During and after heavy rainfall or flooding there is an increased risk of pollution in the waterways from stormwater run-off or sewer overflows. There may also be debris or large submerged objects in the water that can cause illness or injury. Advice is to avoid swimming and recreational water activities after heavy rain for up to three days at waterways such as lagoons, bays, rivers and lakes, and at least 24 hours at ocean beaches.  
• For daily Central Coast beach pollution forecasts and advice on swimming suitability, go to the BeachWatch website  
• Report significant pollution or debris in the water to the NSW Government’s Environment Line on 131 555.
• If you come in contact with waterways and feel unwell, please seek medical advice from a doctor or hospital or call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency

Foreshore reserves and parks

• Crews continue to collect debris and wrack.  To avoid damage to public foreshore reserves and parks, this clean-up is carried out as ground conditions dry out.
• Read our section on this web page on 'waste' for information on the collection and disposal of wrack from private property.

Sewer overflows can occur due to the high volumes of stormwater entering the sewage network during and following heavy rainfall. 

Pollution warning signs have been placed in public spaces near affected sites, and water quality monitoring is underway and will continue, until bacterial levels return to normal.

An extensive water quality monitoring program has been implemented to determine when waters are suitable for recreational activity following the storms.  Council is closely monitoring and will continue to update the community as required.

• NSW Health’s website advises after heavy rain to avoid swimming in the ocean for 24 hours, and swimming in rivers, lagoons, and estuaries for at least 3 days.
• To report urgent water or sewer issues, contact Council by phoning 02 4306 7900. For water service interruptions go here.
• Non-urgent reports, requests and enquiries can be lodged online through Council's online Customer Service Centre.
   

Before you begin cleaning up, take photos of any property damage. This evidence can support potential insurance claims and financial assistance applications. Find out more about how to demonstrate damage

Are you uninsured?
If you are uninsured, support may be available to you contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit NSW Government. 

The Insurance Council of Australia can be contacted for any questions, complaints or concerns about insurance on 1800 734 621 or Insurance Council of Australia.

Legal Aid NSW can provide free legal advice and minor assistance to people affected by disasters on a range of issues, including insurance, on 1800 801 529.

Are you insured?
If you are insured talk to your insurance company as soon as possible about how to make a claim.

Remember, before cleaning up, take photos or video of damage to your property and possessions as evidence for your claim. 

If you have clearance from your insurer and evidence for your claim, you can start cleaning up. 

Natural disasters, cleaning up and recovery can take a toll mental and emotional health. People in flood-affected communities may be feeling anxious, worried or afraid. It’s vital that you seek support and look after you and your loved ones' wellbeing.

If you or someone you know needs support, call NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or visit nsw.gov.au.

Support is available:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467

Australians love to help and support those in need. Before you give, please don’t donate unrequested items to the NSW communities affected by the recent storms and floods.

The best way you can help right now to support affected communities, is to use one of the many existing services, such as GIVIT. GIVIT works closely with local charities and community organisations to match needs to offers of support. Visit givit.org.au