Aussie City Braces For Worst Flood In 118 Years

Please Donate by H0D_G · 2011-01-11 02:09 · Score: 5, Informative

The Queensland Government has set up a disaster relief fund for donations

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

Please Give.

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Re:Please Donate by Pojut · 2011-01-11 02:12 · Score: 3, Informative

I'm doing my part!
But no, seriously...I donated $15. Do it, people...what's going on down there is affecting everyone. I know that seems like an obvious thing to say, but it's true: no one is being spared from this disaster. "If we all do a little, we all do a lot."

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Living With a Nerd
Re:Please Donate by Moryath · 2011-01-11 02:26 · Score: 5, Insightful

It's awesome to see techies and everyone else working to do their part.
What I find actually uplifting is this part: On a sombre note, the floods have claimed 10 lives, including children, and 78 people are still missing after facing a torrent of water up to 8 metres (26 feet) high."
Think about that number and compare it with the number of dead and missing from many "classical" disasters - for floods, the usual death count is in the multiple thousands. Roughly 3000 in the monsoon floods for the past few incidents in Asia, for instance.
It's a tragedy when people die in a natural disaster, but if the death count is below 100, they did a great job preparing and minimizing casualties!
Re:Please Donate by xaxa · 2011-01-11 02:33 · Score: 2, Insightful

The Queensland Government has set up a disaster relief fund for donations
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html
Please Give.
Do they really need the money? Australia is a rich country, no one is going to go hungry as a result of this flood, and those who've lost their homes will be housed -- in the worst case -- by the government.
I think a donation to rebuilding flooded areas in Pakistan would achieve more.
Re:Please Donate by antifoidulus · 2011-01-11 02:34 · Score: 5, Interesting

Thats not really a very good comparison, Australia has one of the lowest population densities on the planet, even the cities aren't anywhere near as dense as those in places like Indonesia and Bangladesh. Comparing just the sheer # of casualties isn't a very good way to judge disaster preparedness per se.

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Monstar L
Re:Please Donate by Cimexus · 2011-01-11 02:37 · Score: 4, Interesting

Very true. Australia is a first world country with good warning systems etc. so you would expect death tolls to be lower than in developing nations. (Having said that, most of the '78 missing' are unfortunately likely to be dead too - the flooding in Toowoomba was so quick that people were washed away before they knew what was happening and may have ended up many, many miles downstream, so it will not be until the water subsides that the true toll will be known).
There's one other thing about the low death toll that has nothing to do with preparation though. Australia is simply not as densely populated as the places you hear about with the multi-thousand death tolls. It's a huge, US-sized continent, with a tiny population. So just due to pure probability, most natural disasters affect rural areas and small towns. Casulaties are therefore usually low.
That's about to change though - the water is now heading out towards the coast, directly through Brisbane. Unlike the other places affected, this is a large, multi-million-person city. Now the flooding there will be a gradual 'river flood' over the next few days (not a flash flood like in Toowoomba), so people do have adequate time to get themselves to safety. But the ~impact~ of it will be immense just due to the fact it is hitting one of Australia's rare densely populated areas. I hope we get away with minimal casualties, but the economic cost will be staggering: so many roads, cars, bridges, telephone poles, signs, bits of telecomms infrastructure and all the other trappings that go with a large city will be washed away. It will be enough to put at least a $15 billion dent in the economy. And that's before we consider the private cost to individuals: it is expected ~9000 homes will be submerged in Brisbane by Thursday. Many of these people won't have flood insurance.
Re:Please Donate by timholman · 2011-01-11 02:44 · Score: 3, Informative

I think a donation to rebuilding flooded areas in Pakistan would achieve more.
A donation to rebuild flooded areas in Pakistan will almost certainly wind up in the pockets of a corrupt government official or anti-Western mullah.
Australia may be a wealthy country in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn't mean that individuals affected by the flooding can't use some additional help. And unlike Pakistan, your donation to Australian flood relief has an infinitely greater chance of actually making to the people affected by the disaster.
Re:Please Donate by srealm · 2011-01-11 02:55 · Score: 2

That said, it is somewhat true. The first world status of Australia means the communications in general (including TV news and such) and disaster warning systems are much more advanced. And more of the population is able to get up-to-date information very quickly and thus warnings can actually have an impact. Population density does play a part, especially since so far the flooding has not hit a major city, and the overwhelming majority of the population IS in the top 5 cities - but not as much as the infrastructure in place.
Plus, Australians are now less likely to stubbornly stay in their house when they've been told a natural disaster is bearing down upon them. A hard lesson learned in a country where natural disasters are frequent (most often in the form of bush fires). The most recent lesson being the 2009 fires in Victoria. Course, that doesn't stop people being stupid and trying to drive through flood waters, but at least they knew not to stay in their home and drown in there.
Re:Please Donate by FriendlyLurker · 2011-01-11 02:57 · Score: 4, Interesting

Apart from being a rich state within a rich country: Do they deserve donation money - or is this a classic case of reap what you sow - privatizing profits and socializing losses? Australia and especially conservative Queenslanders are amongst the staunchest climate change denialists out there (from link: "There's been a big swing back towards climate change denialists..."). Further, Queensland is a massive coal exporter - and more than happy to fuel dirty-coal burning both in Australia or at export sites the world over, all to make a quick buck. The costs of this flood will be minuscule compared to the Queensland coal industries profits:

In 2009, the [Queensland] state’s 52 coal mines produced a record 195 million tonnes of coal, generating $33.2 billion in export revenue. Queensland is a major player in the international coal market, exporting 168 Mt of coal in 2009 that accounted for 20% of the global trade. The industry generated $3.22 billion in coal royalties, accounting for 9% of the total income of the Queensland Government for the 2008-09 financial year.
Australian media is divided up amongst a few powerful players (Murdoch included) that don't want any meaningful public debate of climate change. For example most Australians are completely unaware of Australia complacency in the farce that is the "Copenhagen accord" on climate change as exposed by Wikileaks
Re:Please Donate by Cimexus · 2011-01-11 03:30 · Score: 3, Insightful

No offence but that scenario would never happen in AU. Good efforts will be made to rebuild, just as they have been in every previous disaster (Australia is pretty accustomed to major floods, cyclones and fires). Australian cities are generally in a much better state of upkeep than in the US even before a disaster hits. (I'm not saying this in an inflammatory manner, but there is a LOT of urban decay in some places in the US, particularly the downtowns of rust belt/midwestern cities like Detroit.)
As an aside I am appalled that New Orleans is still in the state it's in. I'm an Australian but married an American and spend a good portion of my time in the US now. I cannot understand why the US seems to be such a nation of contrasts: how can a country which is wealthy and mostly filled with good infrastructure seemingly ignore such disrepair and decay in a major city? I'm pretty sure if a similar event happened to Boston or LA or Manhattan that it would have been rebuilt years ago. It's almost like different places in the US act are treated according to completely different rules or something ...
Re:Please Donate by Kell+Bengal · 2011-01-11 03:31 · Score: 4, Interesting

Thing is, Australia also has the highest urbanisation rate, with 90% of our population in cities. Floods rarely kill people in the country, but would be a colossal disaster in the city. Fortunately, almost all of our cities are on the coast and flood waters simply run off into the sea.

Now, when the sea levels rise, that's another story altogether...

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Re:Please Donate by ancienthart · 2011-01-11 03:44 · Score: 2

While climate change is definitely happening, this current flood is not exactly unique in the history of Australia, just the worst that a whole generation has seen. http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/fld_history/index.shtml Australia just simply has a history of flooding and droughts. It's up to you to personally decide if these people who have lost their homes, cars, possessions, and I might point out ALL their Christmas presents, 'deserve' donation money.
Re:Please Donate by Gadget_Guy · 2011-01-11 04:43 · Score: 4, Insightful

Do they deserve donation money - or is this a classic case of reap what you sow - privatizing profits and socializing losses? Australia and especially conservative Queenslanders are amongst the staunchest climate change denialists [uq.edu.au] out there (from link: "There's been a big swing back towards climate change denialists...").
Wow. This reminds me of seeing the TV footage of people dancing in the streets when the twin towers came down. Do you really believe that the people affected by these floods deserved it? Is this God smiting the wicked people of the world?
I certainly believe that man causes climate change, but I put my feelings on this matter aside and feel sympathy for the thousands of people who have had their lives turned upside down. It is called being human.
Re:Please Donate by tlhIngan · 2011-01-11 04:45 · Score: 2

What the hell has climate change got to do with this? Do you blame every flood, drought, heat wave and cold snap on climate change? I bet if the weather was completely average you'd say that was uncanny and blame it on climate change too.
I believe in climate change (and indeed AGW, but skeptical of current models) but please can we have some rigour? This is weather, not climate.
While true, the big issue with climate change is it will make the weather more extreme - colder winters and hotter summers, and events like floods, hurricanes, etc. will become more frequent and higher in intensity. The problem is trying to attribute this as either a 100 year flood, or possibly a side effect of climate change (i.e., the flooding would've happened, but maybe it'll be less intense).
The big problem is, there's no way to tell.
Re:Please Donate by AlecC · 2011-01-11 05:53 · Score: 5, Informative

Regrettably, I have seen factual reports from a fairly reliable source (The Economist) that exactly what GP said is happening, A lot of flood relief money is sticking to fingers or being routed to the preferted groups rather than the needy groups.
It may or may not be racist, but Pakistan has a pretty corrupt administration. The President used to be known as "Mr 10%", and many accusations of corruption have been made against him. He asserts, possibly correctly, that the accusations were political; on the other hand, it may be that his non-prosecution is political. Whichever way it is, it is an atmosphere in which heavyweight accusations of corruption are not enough to block a political career.

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It's Fast by Mike+Mentalist · 2011-01-11 02:20 · Score: 5, Informative

This BBC video link shows how fast the flooding is - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12161502

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Re:It's Fast by Anonymous Coward · 2011-01-11 02:57 · Score: 4, Informative

This BBC video link shows how fast the flooding is - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12161502

The "original" is perhaps on the ABC website
More disturbing is the amount of water that went through the town of Grantham

Sigh... by AlexiaDeath · 2011-01-11 02:31 · Score: 3, Insightful

Loss of life and damage is sad of course but... It's really depressing how short peoples memories are even in this day and age. Building on flood areas of rivers and marsh lands ever so happily. Of course its going to flood there. If not in this year then sometime in the next 50-100 years for sure. If people choose to live in such places they should be prepared to rebuild their houses now and then and have a plan of action in case of a flood.

Re:Sigh... by drinkypoo · 2011-01-11 02:39 · Score: 3, Insightful

What I don't understand is people who got wiped out in Katrina, got paid, and then used their money to move back in. If someone hands you a check, take it and run like a motherfucker!

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Re:Sigh... by Cimexus · 2011-01-11 02:55 · Score: 5, Informative

The people in Brisbane know full well that certain areas are flood prone, especially those that lived through the 1974 floods. Seems that the current flooding is probably a 1-in-100-year kinda event so they got a bit unlucky. But everyone in these areas in Brisbane knows and accepts the risk.
As for the flash flooding in Toowoomba, well that's a different story. I find it hard to fault their choice of where to live. Far from being a flood plain, Toowoomba is on the top of a freaking plateau 700 metres above sea level, and nothing even remotely like this has happened in its recorded history. A freak event, and very sad.
Re:Sigh... by daid303 · 2011-01-11 03:26 · Score: 3, Insightful

As a dutch person I'm offended by this. It's perfectly possible to live in areas that flood easily or are even below sea level. You just need to prepare for it, and respect the water.
Also, flood areas of rivers are very fertile, you want to build food on those lands, or keep cattle on it.
Re:Sigh... by TheRaven64 · 2011-01-11 04:03 · Score: 2

build food
This is probably caused by a literal translation from the Dutch, but it still made me chortle.

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Re:Sigh... by IonOtter · 2011-01-11 05:48 · Score: 2

Yes, but the Dutch take extreme insult at inefficiency and incompetence, not to mention corruption and graft. They will pay a lot for quality work, but by God, it had BETTER be quality work, or there will be Hell to pay.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world carries on with the business of fucking each other over pennies.

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[End Of Line]
Re:Sigh... by thegarbz · 2011-01-11 11:56 · Score: 4, Interesting

Try and understand the scale of what you're saying. People in Brisbane aren't building below sea level, they aren't building straw houses in hurricane territory. The freaky flooding that occurs no one could have predicted. Have a look at the warning. Now note that the low lying areas of Brisbane which were evacuated were done so as a precaution due to a flood level of a few meters. This impacts only a few minor riverside premises. The Wivenhoe dam was built to protect us and it has done a wonderful job.

Now have a look at Ipswich. The flood gauge is expected to peak at 20meters. Let me repeat that for you. The river is expected to be TWENTY METRES higher than it's normal level. So tell me where do you think it is safe to build? How high / far away from a river?

I know lets build in Toowoomba, a town that until yesterday was on level 5 water restrictions (120L per person per day, no watering of gardens, no washing of cars). A town that is built near the great dividng range, a mountainous area way above sea level, and is nowhere near a major river. Today it's totalled.

This isn't a case of stupid town planning. It's a natural disaster, unprecedented even in our flood prone history.

Remember when you're reading this... by definate · 2011-01-11 02:32 · Score: 3, Informative

Remember when you're reading this that it's currently summer down here.

In the region (Brisband) the average temperature for this month is around 27 degrees celsius (80 degrees fahrenheit) and average rainfall is around 100 milliliters for the month (6.1 cubic inches).

In fact, the entire country has had an extremely wet summer, and an extremely dry winter for the last year or two.

If you want to feel the effects of climate instability, you just gotta come down here, where it's sunny and 36 degrees celsius (96 degrees fahrenheit) one day and raining and 22 degrees celsius (71 degrees fahrenheit) the next.

It's been fucking insane.

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Re:Remember when you're reading this... by Cimexus · 2011-01-11 02:49 · Score: 4, Informative

Small correction ... rainfall is measured as a 'depth', not a 'volume'. So *millimetres* is the unit you are looking for. Average rainfall of 100 mm equates to around 4 inches.
To put the rainfall SE Queensland has had in perspective, virtually all weather stations in the Wivenhoe catchment have recorded between 400-700 mm of rain in the last ~three days~. Some spots even higher (Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland has 740 mm / 29 inches of rain over the last three days - that is a metric f**kton of rainfall in any language)
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by Dexter+Herbivore · 2011-01-11 02:52 · Score: 5, Insightful

If you want to feel the effects of climate instability, you just gotta come down here, where it's sunny and 36 degrees celsius (96 degrees fahrenheit) one day and raining and 22 degrees celsius (71 degrees fahrenheit) the next.
It's been fucking insane.
Hell, that's Melbourne weather at ANY time during the summer.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by 0100010001010011 · 2011-01-11 02:55 · Score: 3, Insightful

you just gotta come down here, where it's sunny and 36 degrees celsius (96 degrees fahrenheit) one day and raining and 22 degrees celsius (71 degrees fahrenheit) the next.
It's been fucking insane.
We call that "Indiana". I see your instability and raise you.
70F and sunny and 6" of snow and 14F.
Also, how do you measure rain? Stateside it's not in volume but in just inches. Now I believe that they use a capture device with a 1" sq top.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by khallow · 2011-01-11 02:56 · Score: 2

If you want to feel the effects of climate instability, you just gotta come down here, where it's sunny and 36 degrees celsius (96 degrees fahrenheit) one day and raining and 22 degrees celsius (71 degrees fahrenheit) the next.
Day to day variation is weather not climate.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by srealm · 2011-01-11 03:01 · Score: 4, Funny

1 Metric Fuckton = 1 Imperial Fuckload.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by Cimexus · 2011-01-11 03:18 · Score: 4, Interesting

Yeah unfortunately, although I'm Australian and we definitely have extremes in this country, the US midwest has us beat in any "rapid weather change" contest, by a long long way. The extremes in Australia can be just as extreme in magnitude ... but they don't ~change~ as quickly as in North America.
Australia is comparatively insulated from sharply contrasting airmasses meeting each other because we are an island, and there is nothing but ocean between us and the Antarctic. So polar airmasses making their way from the Antarctic up to Australia are considerably moderated and warmed by the ocean before they get to us. Contrast America which has solid land all the way up to the arctic, which doesn't provide much warming (especially when snowcovered in winter) and thus allows airmasses to remain colder for longer as they penetrate southwards. So you can see day by day temperature fluctuations in America that are significantly more severe than in Australia.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by fremsley471 · 2011-01-11 04:20 · Score: 2

Spent Feb 2009 travelling from Sydney to Brisbane. Over a four day period 458 mm fell and cut off the local town (Bellingen). The hydrologists assured the local populace this was no more than a 1:40 year event. It happened twice more over the next three months. Things are, perhaps, changing.

But this is the enigma of weather's relationship with climate, they are the same and very different. Climate change will certainly mean expanded, more acidic seas and glacier melt on short term (decadal) timescales, but it will be on a centennial time-scales that we'll see weather patterns change which are definitely linked to our warmer world.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by dbIII · 2011-01-11 04:45 · Score: 2

Average yearly rainfall in those areas is 1000-1200mm. The numbers above are most of a years rain in three days.
For the moment the water where I am is not going up or down and is just covering the road. The next high tide is half a day away, and the day after that is when most of the water is supposed to be coming through.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by gardon · 2011-01-11 09:31 · Score: 2

Hell, that's Melbourne weather at ANY time.
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by sandmaninator · 2011-01-11 10:08 · Score: 2

Minnesota is one of the places on earth that suffer the widest temperature variation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Minnesota_weather_records
71 deg F change in one day
Highest temp = 114 deg F on July 6th 1936
Lowest = -60 deg F on Feb 6th, 1996 - I was in Duluth for that one. Exposed skin got damaged quickly.
Variety is the spice of life :-)
Re:Remember when you're reading this... by definate · 2011-01-11 11:07 · Score: 2

Hold on.
No.
I've got family in that area, and I've been around for quite a long time now, and it doesn't nor has it happened, again and again.
You're mixing up the flood plains flooding (which does happen regularly), and everything else flooding.
See the footage with all the houses on stilts? That's the flood plains, that's the understandable part.
See the part where the cars are being washed down the road? The houses at ground level being flooded? Or the Wivenhoe Dam levels? These are the unexpected irregular flooded parts. THIS is not normal, and does not happen regularly.
Else, what you're saying is that Wivenhoe Dam, was built without the capacity to hold the water from this flood that happens regularly. You're saying that in the 70s/80s, they somehow didn't know about this "regular flooding".
Poppy cock!
These are exceptional circumstances. Whether or not its due to climate instability/change, is for someone else, with a background in that, to argue.

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Re:Remember when you're reading this... by highways · 2011-01-11 11:21 · Score: 3, Informative

A little more than two years ago, we were worried whether our dams would run out - you can see some pretty graphs here.
Disturbingly, when the dam was finally full again after 8 years of drought in October, the state opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek called to increase the water storage level at the expense of flood mitigation. The main dam (Wivenhoe Dam) can hold 225% of it's nominal capacity for flood storage. It's currently at 190%.
The dam is a earth embankment dam and is not design to spill. If so, it may erode the dam and potentially cause it's failure. Hence, there must be a controlled release, even while the flood conditions are occuring and it's a fine balancing act between holding back more rain and flooding downstream.
In general, it is considered that the flood mitigation capacity (about that of Sydney Harbour) will knock about 2m off a flood peak. There would be many more people currently swimming without it, even before it's expected to peak in about 36 hours.

Re:What Is This, The Weather Channel??!! by DrMaurer · 2011-01-11 02:38 · Score: 3, Insightful

Srsly?

Besides the human interest story, there is a specific news item in the post about tech people making communications easier in the midst of disaster. Isn't that really interesting for your inner nerd?

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Dan

Difference From Katrina... by GreenSeven · 2011-01-11 02:45 · Score: 4, Interesting

I was stationed in Biloxi, MS during Katrina and the comm there was terrible. Of course the first thing to go were the phone switches, which made everyone else panic... Funny thing is we had internet the whole time. I think today with the advances in smartphones, the lack of a phone wouldn't have been a huge issue if we could have kept a wi-fi signal up. Good thinking from the Aussies...

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The Copper Tribe - Office Software Solutions

Re:Brisband = Brisbane by ilsaloving · 2011-01-11 02:56 · Score: 5, Funny

Actually, the worst (best) typo I've ever seen was someone giving a link to the Symbian website (www.symbian.com), but they forgot the m (www.sybian.com).

Queensland Coal and climate change by FriendlyLurker · 2011-01-11 03:08 · Score: 2, Interesting

Queensland Coal and climate change

"The coal industry is Queensland’s leading contributor to climate change, amounting to around 394 million tonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gas emissions per year. These emissions are 2.5 times the combined domestic emissions for the entire state, which stood at 160 Mt in 2008, including stationary energy, transport, fugitive emissions, industrial processes, agriculture, waste, and land use, land use change and forestry. Additionally, the mining, processing and transportation of coal contributes enormously to greenhouse gas production.

The Queensland Government’s commitment to coal expansion has the direct consequence of reducing our ability to prevent climate change. The 2010-11 budget, along with the current $700 million expansion of the coal industry, commits an extra $18 million for an "...exploration program to develop major new resource provinces". In comparison, it only provides $47 million for investment in renewable energy initiatives."

Perhaps Queensland voters need to vote in politicians with a more balanced view on climate change at the next elections, rather than siding with the coal industries take?

Flooding is the worst by MetricT · 2011-01-11 03:08 · Score: 4, Informative

Having endured a 1000 year flood in Tennessee last year, flooding of this level is destructive in ways unimaginable to those who haven't experienced it. In one day the Cumberland River turned into something resembling a white-water Mississippi River. Many had to be plucked from their homes via helicopter, and hundreds of homes and businesses were reduced to rubble. It crippled the local economy for months. In sheer destructiveness it exceeds an earthquake or hurricane, though mercifully limited in geographic extent. My deepest sympathies to anyone who has to go through something like that.

Completely wrong impression by dbIII · 2011-01-11 03:35 · Score: 4, Interesting

Australia and especially conservative Queenslanders are amongst the staunchest climate change denialists out there

Not if you compare to about anywhere in the USA outside of Al Gore's office. We get that reputation from a few loonies in an protectionist Agrarian Socialist party that was so low on members it has ended up attempting to merge with a city based conservative party with a heavy emphasis on uncontrolled free market capitalism. I don't think they'll be doing much more than infighting for a very long time.
Coal, sugar, beef, bananas and pineapples is about all we produce and coal is where the majority of the money is. The coal industry really pays most of the taxes. Thus the government while not denying climate change is stuck in the position where they are addicted to taxes on coal and don't want to do anything to lose that money. Most of the coal actually burnt in the state goes into the state government owned power stations so a tax on consumed carbon becomes the silly situation of a government putting a new tax on itself. It's a tiger by the tail. The only alternatives for government at the moment are flat out batshit insane climate deniers within the group I mentioned about that is too busy with it's own infighting over opposed ideologies to do anything constructive.

Anyway, the street is starting to fill up with water and high tide is still an hour away so it's time to move the car unless I want to risk it bumping against the floorboards.

Re:Completely wrong impression by totally+bogus+dude · 2011-01-11 17:18 · Score: 3, Informative

This page lists major donors to the state Government's flood relief appeal. There are some resources amongst the list.

Re:Getacanoe by Kell+Bengal · 2011-01-11 03:37 · Score: 3, Funny

Darwin is much further north of where the flooding is, but transporting them to the Northern Territory sounds like an eminently serviceable idea!

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Another "news for nerds" link ... by Chuq · 2011-01-11 11:55 · Score: 2

Australian Federal Opposition Leader and extreme right-wing conservative Tony Abbott has been vocally opposed to the construction of Australia's National Broadband Network (a national fibre optic network), despite the fact that this position lost them the federal election last year.

Anyway, he is at it again.. using the floods to score cheap political points - http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/372807/floods_show_need_nbn_rethink_abbott/

And public opinion of this stunt isn't good! http://twitter.com/search#search?q=tony%20abbott%20nbn

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- Chuq

All the information I have by Jeremy+Lee · 2011-01-11 15:58 · Score: 2

This is a couple of hours old now, but it was mostly accurate at the time I was trying to get it into wikipedia: (sorry if some wiki synax leaks through, I'm doing this fast)

The following information may be of help to those currently caught in the unfolding emergency.

=Evacuations=

* Evacuations of a number of Brisbane suburbs are likely tomorrow when the river peaks and it is planned to have an increased police presence in and around all evacuated properties.http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/floodrelief/flood-info-centre-updates-reports-warnings-advice-and-how-you-can-help/story-fn7ik2te-1225985436806

* Police are evacuating residents on Dohles Rocks Road, Griffin as well as Goburra Street at Rocklea and McKuulla Street and Skew Street at Sherwood. Stimpson Road and Brisbane Corso at Fairfield are closed. Mt Ommaney area under threat with the rising river levels - 11 January 2011 at 20:50

* An emergency alert has been issued for Dalby residents. Myall Creek will rise to 3.8 metres by 10pm 11/1/11. Concerned residents should evacuate to family, friends or evacuation centres. Call 46626666 for more information.http://www.facebook.com/notes/queensland-police-service/emergency-alert-issued-for-dalby-residents-thebigwetqldfloods/159601107421243 - Tuesday, 11 January 2011 at 20:22

* All members of the community who live or are currently near the Brisbane River at West End are advised to move to higher ground. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/australian-police-urge-brisbane-flood-evacuations-20110111-19m1s.html

* Evacuation Centre set up - RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hillshttp://www.facebook.com/notes/queensland-police-service/evacuation-centre-set-up-rna-showgrounds-bowen-hills-qldfloods-thebigwet/159557807425573 Evacuation Centre set up - RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hills The Red Cross says it will be able to accommodate about 1,000 people.

** A Brisbane City Council statement said the centre had been set up for those who wanted to evacuate of their own accord and could not be accommodated with family or friends. Residents were advised to take their own pillows and sheets, medication, important documents and spare clothing. Pets are unable to be accommodated at the evacuation centre.http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/100000-to-lose-power-supermarkets-bare-as-flooding-crisis-continues-20110110-19l56.html

** Evacuations began in Brisbane last night with the RNA Showgrounds expected to house up to 3000 people. Concerns were raised that this space would be insufficient and more than 6000 people would possibly need temporary accommodation.http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/brisbane-braces-for-the-worst-as-record-floodwaters-loom/story-e6freon6-1225985939905

* Evacuation centre reported at Ipswich Showgrounds.http://kempsey.iprime.com.au/index.php/news/national-news/evacuations-under-way-across-southeast - more information needed

* The Queensland flood crisis has triggered evacuations in the heart of Brisbane, amid [[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/queensland-floods/police-warn-that-queensland-floods-death-toll-will-exceed-20/story-fn7iwx3v-1225985503963 reports]] that another five bodies have been found.

* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queensland-Floods-Temporary-Accommodation-Help/100641316678419?v=wall Queensland Floods Temporary Accommodation Help] is a facebook group which contains offers of accomodation and contact details.

* [http://www.facebook.com/notes/queensland-police-service/from-bom-severe-weather-warning-cancellation/159618004086220 Severe Weather Warning Cancellation] Heavy rain areas have eased during the past few hours and further flash flooding due to rainfall is no longer expected. - 11 January 2011 at 22:04

=Affected Areas=

* Bereau of Meteorology [http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ Queensland Warning Summary] containing [http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20885.html flood warnings] for (at 7am, 12th January 2011):
** Fitzroy River
** Burnett River
** Mary River
*

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Jeremy Lee | Orinoco

New Evacuation Centre Information by Jeremy+Lee · 2011-01-11 17:22 · Score: 2

Just found the Brisbane City Council Newsroom, which has recent updates. For example, this new information (to me) on evacuation centres:

Residents urged to bring own bedding to evacuation centres12/1/2011
Brisbane City Council advises that although there will be some bedding provided at evacuation centres across the city, residents are urged to bring their own bedding when accessing the centres.

Council expects high demand for access to the evacuation centres and recommends residents bring their own supplies for their own comfort.

Residents are encouraged to bring pillows and sheets, any medication, important documents such as insurance papers and spare clothing.

Two major evacuation centres have been activated at the RNA Showgrounds at Bowen Hills and QEII at Nathan.

Three smaller evacuation centres were activated this morning at St Catherine’s Anglican Church and the Salvation Army Church at Middle Park and Good News Lutheran Church and Jamboree Heights.

The evacuation centres have been established for those who wish to evacuate of their own accord and cannot be accommodated with family or friends. Please note there have been no forced evacuations.

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Jeremy Lee | Orinoco

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Aussie City Braces For Worst Flood In 118 Years

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