Epic river view in Brisbane on 28 January 2013. This pic submitted via http://instagram.com/vilifaingaa (which has some great pictures) to http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-28/your-pictures-queensland-flood-crisis/4487164?section=qld = thank you.
WATCHWORDS
THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS - JANUARY
2013
For ongoing updates on the Queensland Floods visit the links below, and enter search information. You can also Google the towns and councils involved for updates.
The information below was posted on Monday, 28 January 2013 - as it happened
Australia Day celebrations were cancelled as the state of Queensland, Australia was hit by post cyclonic winds, torrential rain, and floods.
Cities and towns across Queensland, including Brisbane, are devastated yet again, with the second major flood event in two years wreaking havoc as the perfect storm makes its way down the coast
to Southeast Queensland through to New South Wales and beyond.
Authorities are assuring the citizens of Queensland that this is not a repeat of
the January 2011 disaster but it pretty well feels like it to those unfortunate people caught in it for the second time. The situation in the City of Bundaberg on the central coast north of Brisbane is now critical. Helicopters from the defence forces are
on their way to join civilian and police aircraft in rescuing people from their rooftops.
The Mayor of Ipswich (just west of Brisbane) says that
it feels like Groundhog Day. Ipswich is facing a big flood when the Bremer River hits 15 metres at 6 p.m. tonight (Monday, 28 January 2013). The good news is that the precautions Coles Supermarket in Ipswich took after the last flood are holding up and food
is available.
Added to that, we have had at least seven tornados associated with the storm. They are forming over the ocean as a water spout and
subsequently making landfall with catastrophic effects. So far there are 230,000 homes without power in Queensland’s Southeast.
Below are several websites where people can keep up with what’s going on! Find out which roads are closed (many still littered with debris including fallen trees), check on public transport including ferry services,
find out whether you should try to get to work after the public holiday, and see whether or not the kids can go back to school on Tuesday, 29 January 2013 after the holidays. There will be information about cleanups coming up but, in the meantime, see below.
If people you know have lost power but you can still contact them by mobile phone, give
them these radio stations to listen to if they can’t get to a website: Listen to ABC Local Radio:
For urgent help during a flood or storm call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500; for life-threatening emergencies call 000.
And it’s
not over yet, with rivers across Queensland breaking their banks and floodwaters heading towards many cities and towns. There have been a large number of swift water rescues as well as three deaths, injuries and several missing people reported. It’s
very dangerous out there – so for heaven’s sake people, if it’s flooded forget it.
Last night the wild weather moved through the prime tourist destination
of the Gold Coast to the south of Brisbane leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, and is currently heading down the east coast through the State of New South Wales towards the NSW capital, Sydney. It’s currently moving slowly, so people have some
time to evacuate and move their stuff to higher ground, but be warned – the storm has lost none of its intensity.
Good
luck New South Wales – good luck Sydney!
Website Watch
The Brisbane City Council (BCC) is currently responding to the flood event. Residents are advised to avoid crossing flooded roads, beware of fallen powerlines and stay away from stormwater drains. The BCC advises
how to respond to the flood threat – more on the BCC website at http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/index.htm.
‘It's important that you understand how to respond to a flood. Follow these tips when flooding is likely to impact your property:
- move valuables up high
- collect
sandbags from Council depots
- listen to your local radio station for updates (see below) and/or visit Council's website
- make sure your emergency kit is ready. This
should contain valuables such as jewellery, a backup of important computer files, warm clothing, important documents (such as birth certificates), and any needs for infants and pets
- plan your evacuation route. Don't drive through floodwaters. If you plan to evacuate, do so early, as roads may become flooded or congested.’
Mobile
phone coverage is currently patchy and unreliable. Check on your neighbours and make sure they’re all right. Don’t wander about sight-seeing. You will have an opportunity to help later when the mud army reconvenes to clean up.
Brisbane Flood Maps are available on the Brisbane City Council website at http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community/community-safety/disasters-and-emergencies/types-of-disasters/flooding/responding-to-a-flood-threat/brisbane-river-flood-maps-4000m3s/index.htm.
Australia’s public broadcaster (the ABC) is continually monitoring events at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-28/qld-flooding-alert-moves-south/4486666 and
see photographs at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-27/queensland-floods-as-oswald-moves-south/4486174.
Go to Weather warnings at http://weather.yahoo.com.au/warnings/qld for the
latest weather updates.
Channel 7 News at http://au.news.yahoo.com/qld-floods
will keep you up to date if you’re not on Facebook.
If you are on Facebook, go to Channel
9 News you can see news, photos and videos, YouTube and 9news Instagram at https://www.facebook.com/9News
The Queensland Flood Appeal 2013. To help people affected by floods and storms from the Cape to the New South Wales border, the
Queensland State Government and the Red Cross have launched the Queensland Flood appeal 2013.
If you can help, donations can be made by calling 1800 811 700 or visiting the
Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.au
Clean-up advice
(from the Brisbane City Council)
If your home has been affected by floodwaters, you must contact a licensed electrician to do a safety check of wiring and switchboards
before turning on the power. All electrical equipment that may have come into contact with floodwaters should also be checked by an electrician before using. Also:
- Protect
yourself from possible contaminants and bacteria in or left by floodwaters by always wearing rubber gloves and water resistant clothing, including gumboots. You should also wear goggles or a face mask to protect your eyes from any splashing water and cover
any open wounds before you start cleaning.
- Make sure all gas and electricity is turned off while you clean up.
- Allow for adequate ventilation by opening windows and doors.
- Be aware that floors will be slippery, even after water has receded.
- Throw out any food that may have come into contact with floodwaters or perishables that would have spoiled due to power.
- Take photos of damaged furniture, draperies, appliances, dishes etc and then remove from your house. Brisbane City Council will have industrial bins available and a kerbside collection for flood damaged goods in affected areas once floodwaters
recede. Detailed information of industrial bin locations, kerbside collection areas and times will be advised as soon as possible.
- Watch out for snakes that may have entered
your house to escape floodwaters.
Hang in there Australia!