Water through the house or the shed?
Don't switch anything back on that's been wet, at the board or at the wall, until a licensed electrician has tested it. If a power line is down, treat it as live, keep well back and ring Energex on 13 19 62, or 000 if someone is in danger. Storm damage to the house itself goes to the SES on 132 500.
Nerang and its river
A river town first
The township was surveyed in June 1865 at the river crossing and the head of navigation. It turned into suburbs for coastal tourism workers once the motorway bypassed the centre in 1979 and the railway arrived in 1997.
Big rain upstream
The river rises in the McPherson Range and drains 490 km2, Springbrook included. During Alfred, Upper Springbrook recorded 1146 mm over the 7 days to 10 March 2025, the highest total of the event.
1974, and again in 2023
In January 1974 the Nerang River flooded and cut the Gold Coast off from Brisbane, and about 2,000 people were evacuated from homes along the river and canals. After the Christmas 2023 storms, Nerang was activated for disaster assistance.
Houses with a mortgage
At the 2021 Census, 61.4% of occupied homes were separate houses, 23.1% townhouses or semis and 13.3% flats. 38.2% were owned with a mortgage and 30.9% rented.
After a flood or a big storm in Nerang
Check whether the street is out
If the neighbours are dark too, it's Energex. Check its Outage Finder or call 13 62 62.
Leave wet circuits off
Turn off at the main switch only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry. If you can't, leave it and keep everyone away.
Photograph the damage
Take photos of wet fittings, the board and any damaged appliances before anything is pulled out.
Book a licensed test
An electrician tests the wiring, replaces what water has damaged and gives you a certificate of testing and compliance for the work.
Other jobs that come up here
Surge damage. Storms can knock out the modem, the TV and an appliance or two at once. Surge protection at the board is worth asking about while an electrician's on site.
Sheds and pumps. If an outbuilding circuit trips in the wet, get it tested rather than reset over and over.
If it were our place in Nerang
Near the river or a creek, we'd ask an electrician which circuits sit lowest, like pool gear, outdoor power and under-house points, and whether they can be raised or given their own safety switch. Then we'd save both Energex numbers in every phone before storm season.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.