Let's be honest, I am very lucky, I happen to currently live in a fifth floor apartment about 20-30 metres from the hugely swollen Brisbane river and there is no chance of me actually being flooded but I feel so bad that stranded as I am, I can't help those far less fortunate than myself, Interestingly, many of the people affected are actually some of the most wealthy in the city.
So as a Geographer, I feel obliged to let everyone know what's going on and how it is shaping people:
Causes of the flood:
Huge rainfall over 3 catchment areas which for the most part lead through the Lockyer valley and into the Bremer and Brisbane rivers- directly hitting Ipswich and Brisbane.
Years of drought (11 in total) before this year.
Incredibly slow moving storm front which dumped 250mm of rain into Wyvernhoe Dam over a 3 hour period.
Dam at 178-190% of capacity therefore floodgates opened, releasing more water into the river. Water size of Darling harbour flowing towards brisbane city.
Tidal river swelled by 2 large King tides (thursday and wednesday)
Torrential rain on Tuesday flowed quickly into river due to increased surface run off from development in Brisbane city and saturation of farmland outside the city.Prior flooding over Xmas in regional Queensland.
La Nina weather system-opposite to El Nino, starts with lower than normal water temperature.
Possibility that many homeowners had little or no knowledge of what to do in a flood due to the influx of inter state and overseas buyers over the last 15 years. However, not many people are truly clear on what to do in a flood.
Effects:
50 Suburbs of Brisbane affected. Worst being Yeronga, Fairfield, Chelmer.
8m wall of water decimates Toowoomba, 2 hrs west of Brisbane.(aka Land tsunami)
13 deaths confirmed, although none in Brisbane city as of yet.
60-70 missing persons
many more not reported.
Communications (mobile networks) and electricity down in Brisbane CBD and 32 other suburbs- approx 70,000 without power in SE QLD
Flood level up to gutters in Ipswich
Many tourist sites (Lagoon, south bank, parklands) inundated.
No costing suggested
readjusted 5.24m peak of Brisbane river predicted early thurs morning, Ipswich peak at 20.5m. Both are just lower than the 1974 flood levels.
Transport routes ruined. Roads inundated, trains delayed and flooded, ferry cancelled.
Pontoons and boats swept down river out to sea, many stolen from the river.
Some looting in Ipswich.
Incredibly strong current, dragging huge items of debris the river.
Brisbane CBD evacuated
3000 homes in Ipswich inundated.
Floods extend over NSW border (Clarence river).
Many of the most expensive riverfront properties in Brisbane underwater.
Raw sewage leak into the Brisbane river- possible Ecoli in River upstream.
Suncorp Staduim-Icon of Queensland sport- under 5 feet of water.
1 million sq km disaster zone designated-larger than Katrina.
Thousands of people get too close to river to take photos, State Premier Bligh makes distinct point of this in press conference.
Despite warnings, people still taken by surprise, therefore many having to wade to get possessions out of homes. Bearing in mind, whole scenario unfolded in around 24-48 hrs for many.
Many needless triple 0 calls including several people just wanting help lifting furniture.
Mos Def cancels only show in the North of Australia.Major personal disappointment.
Several older generation do not believe it will reach 1974 levels, firm belief in their own memory- a good thing?Long chat with a mining executive who would not have it that it will rise that much!
Drift restaurant breaks moorings and floats away and crashes into bridges.
All debris floating into Moreton Bay-a busy shipping area.
Huge amount of silt in the river, washing away of good top soil up river-possibility of terrible soil for re farming of areas after clean up.
Wicked musical cancelled- biggest performing arts event of the year.
Police man most stretches of river and water and patrol the river itself, pushing against the strong current.
Responses:
Areas evacuated (many suburbs, particularly CBD).
Flooding from earlier in the week only able to be dealt with in terms of saving the stranded after weather abated on Wednesday.
State wide emergency zone declared, allows police to forcibly remove tenants if in danger.
Telethons (primarily for regional floods originally but extended for Brisbane)
Evacuation camps established at EKKA showground/RNA showground, capacity of 3000 people.
Private collections of food, clothes and toys made and handed to the evacuation camps.
Red Cross, Salvation army, St Johns help in all areas.
Red Cross database set up to find information about families/friends.
Sandbag pick up zones created at pivotal areas (Morningside rugby club personally collected bags and delivered to areas around Morningside)
Social media input through announcements about flood levels, where to go, camp location etc.
Help offered by several countries, personnel accepted from NZ.
Kevin Rudd helping out residents in his constituency-carrying a piano and wearing an adidas tracksuit.
So many volunteers, volunteering QLD website crashed.
SES responders spread all over the state, mostly using helicopters to get to stranded people.
Lord mayor encourages people to hold off volunteering until the clean up starts.
Businesses left deserted.
Many people who want to help (myself included) can't due to the nature of the lack of transport options.
Mosquito population spikes and risk of Dengue and Ross River fever, especially in regional QLD.
Massive community emphasis, neighbours helping each other. A point mentioned by many people I have talked to.Especially younger generations, who seem to really want to help out those in trouble.
There are probably a lot more things I have forgotten and I will try to update it, but I hope that it will help people to understand and hopefully to use it in lessons if they feel it necessary! I have included some photos as well!
Hope everyone is well!And I will try to get a few more photos tomorrow morning!
Also, check out these websites
Fascinating stuff mate. Will be using this for my MEDC flood case study later in the year. Hope all is well out there mate and you and Vic are safe.
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