‘Devastating’ doesn’t even begin to articulate just how pervasive the impact of the flooding throughout Queensland has been. The flood affected areas of the state (which, at the moment, is practically the entire surface area of coastal and south-east Queensland) continue to get hammered with a deluge that has traveled through the state and isn’t forecast to ease up until the end of the week.
If you are in a flooded area or region where flood warnings have been issued, we can recommend the following sites to be kept informed of any road closures or warnings:
Queensland Police Service facebook page – providing to-the-minute comprehensive updates on road closures, evacuated areas, and storm warnings across the state.
Brisbane Times weather section – a constant stream of news stories and weather alerts for the greater Brisbane area.
Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Weather and Warnings page – all the basic forecasts, rainfall radars and weather updates for all state regions.
Queensland Disaster Management Services – Regular alerts of all flood affected areas, detailing the level of warnings and danger.
No internet? Here’s the important contact numbers you need to know:
* SES: 132 500
* Disaster Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349
* Centrelink: 180 22 66
* Insurance Council of Australia: 1300 728 228
* General enquiries and assistance: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
If you are in a dry region of the country please make your contribution to the people and areas affected, and donate to the Flood Relief Appeal now. Australians have generously donated over $26.5Million to the appeal so far but, with damage costs estimated at over $1Billion anyone able to donate (regardless of the amount) can assist more people.
To all our friends in flood affected areas we hope you and your loved ones stay safe.
To view images of the flooding around Queensland and its effect on residents and animals go to Boston.com Big Picture gallery.
Check this footage taken during the flash flood in Toowoomba yesterday, 10 January 2011.
