[2011-01-18] Flood Special

I normally wouldn't put another post up so soon, but being involved in the Brisbane floods, I've got a couple things to write about and a few photos to go with it. And don't worry, this post will be considerably shorter than my previous post, Christmas & New Years.

The last time Brisbane had flooding nearly this bad was back in 1974, connected to Cyclone Tracy's visit to Darwin. Since then, we haven't seen too much severe flooding. Back in November 2009, Brisbane's Western Suburbs (Indooroopilly, Chapel Hill, Kenmore, Pullenvale, Bellbowrie and Moggill), received minor flooding, blocking off many parts off Moggill Rd and other minor roads, however the levels quickly receded in only a couple hours. The flooding that has happened over the past week is much worse than that. The overall area affected is a lot greater, even compared to the '74 floods, and in some areas the water water level reached and passed the previous record. 

It had been raining all weekend, and on Tuesday I was on my way home from uni. There was some quite heavy rain during the day, and I don't have any photos, but for those of you who go to UQ, you'll know the so called Great Court has a not-so-great drainage system. The footpaths all around there had already flooded, and the UQ lakes had nearly cut off other footpaths. The following photos were taken a day or so after, but shows at a glance, the flood levels around uni.

UQ Lakes Busstop - Now a Ferry Terminal

Entrance to the Women's College at UQ.

I did manage to get home before being cutoff by flooded roads, however within hours we were blocked both inbound and outbound. We stayed blocked for 3 days, but we were lucky to still have power at least. Food could've become a problem if the roads didn't clear soon, but compared to those without power or the less fortunate now without homes, we didn't really have too much to worry about. Bellbowrie and Moggill received evacuation warnings, as the water level was set to peak at 20 meters. 

A paddock out near Bellbowrie, up to 5m in flooding.

That's what lay between mine and Kate-Lyn's place, although she was stuck up the coast camping. Before the flooding I made it out to her place where her Nanny was (house sitting and looking after their dog) to see if she needed help and was OK with everything. I only just made it back through before this happened.

The Moggill Ferry, in danger of breaking away, with one of its cables already snapped.

You can already see how close the ferry is to the power lines, and the height here is around 12-15m, so by 20m it would've been quite disastrous. At one point the Government and Defense Forces were contemplating sinking it due to the hazard it posed as the water level increased to 18m (actual peak).

Toowoomba, which is quite a high up, and hilly town a couple hours west of Brisbane, recieved severe flash flooding, coming through at 2m.

The roads become rivers through Toowoomba

This doesn't really seem that high if you compare it to the levels Brisbane received, but considering the elevation of the town, just imagine a 2m wall of water suddenly raging through the streets...quite unexpected, and unheard of in the town, not to mention devastating.

After the flooding however, was when the true damage from the flood was revealed. Mud lined the streets, as well as trees, fences and houses, evidence of the water level all over Brisbane. There were so many people registering as volunteers to help clean up, registration had to be temporarily closed. To have this many people wanting to help is amazing. Mention should also go out to everyone else who has helped friends and family, as unregistered volunteers.

The Shopping Centre at Bellbowrie, water reached just under the ceiling.

Inside Coles, the entire shop ruined.

Flood water reached the ceiling of most of the shops, and came halfway up the walls of Coles, slightly more elevated than the rest centre. The whole place will have to be rebuilt.

Many houses all over Brisbane face the same fate.

That's all I have to say really. There's a lot that has gone unsaid, and many more photos I could show you, but I'm not a journalist. I just wanted show a glimpse of the disaster that has happened, and wish to express my sympathy for everyone effected.

Photos courtesy of Google, Courier Mail, Facebook, and my own Collection.

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At time of posting - a storm is overhead...just what we need.

Chris