Brisbane, Queensland - Central Business District Goes Under in Massive Flood

Brisbane's Central Business District goes under in massive Queensland floods

Australia's third largest capital city Brisbane in flood crisis. The Brisbane River has broken its banks in several places as regional flood waters surge downstream towards the ocean.

Early this morning, authorities cut power to the CBD and inner suburbs for safety reasons. Water and electricity just don't mix. People have been told to stay at home and not to venture into flooded areas. This has not stopped sightseers from going to vantage points in the city fringe to take photos of the rising Brisbane.

Flood peaks from Brisbane's 1974 floods will be surpassed

Brisbane is now preparing for the 1974 flood peaks to be surpassed.

In 1974, I was living in the Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove, just a few miles west of the city. After weeks of rain, my flatmates Linda and John decided to go across town for dinner with friends. I received a last-minute invitation to a dance at the nearby Army Officers' Mess. A friend was dating a Captain and one of his mates needed a partner for the event.

The young officer collected me and drove me one suburb away to the base. During the evening, extremely heavy rain started falling onto already sodden ground. At about midnight, somebody turned on a radio to discover that Brisbane was slowly "going under". My friend's partner was able to get her home and return, but the creek between Enoggera and Ashgrove was flooded. I had no option but to stay at the Army Base. I was allocated a room and felt quite embarrassed to front up at breakfast the next morning in evening dress. All the lads were in fatigues ready to go out on flood duty. I was ferried home in an Army truck.

I didn't see Linda and John for a week. They were stranded in another suburb. I tried to go to work on the Tuesday, but the basement of the building I worked in was flooded. I spent a few hours standing on the Victoria Bridge watching peoples' lives drift down the river. A few days later I helped a family to clean out their flood ravaged house.

To read all about the Brisbane floods and to view photos - CLICK HERE.

Residents and businesses evacuated

Mass evacuations from businesses and residences have occurred and a major evacuation centre to hold up to 3,000 people has been set up at the Royal Exhibition Grounds just north of the CBD. The Red Cross are manning all the evacuation centers with the help of volunteers and New Zealand Red Cross affiliates who have flown in to lend a hand.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 homes will be affected by the floods as 80 Brisbane suburbs prepare for the influx of flood water. It is not known how many businesses will suffer damage or complete ruin.

Yesterday, the entire town of Forest Hill near Laidley was evacuated. People were air-lifted to nearby Gatton, parts of which are also under water. I phone my Mum's cousin at Laidley (where my Mum was born) and Elaine said the main street of the town was under water. She and her Mum are safe but relatives had to flee their home to safety.

10 dead and 90 missing in rural areas at the foot of the Toowoomba range

Ten people including 5 children are dead as a result of the inland tsunami that occurred in Toowoomba and at rural outposts downstream on Monday. 90 people are now believed to be missing due to this disaster.

State Emergency Service volunteers are being rested while their interstate and New Zealand counterparts take over the many tasks required to keep a semblance of order and to rescue stranded people in Brisbane, Ipswich and out beyond into the Lockyer and Brisbane Valleys.

Police, specialist swift water rescuers and the Army will begin the gruesome task of trying to recover bodies from flood ravaged rural areas.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced today there would be a further seven Army helicopters rushed into service. Eleven of these will be deployed in search and rescue operations. Others will be used to do food and medical supply drops where required.

Queensland's Premier, Anna Bligh, is maintaining a stoic stance and telling Queenslanders to stay safe and band together in this unprecedented crisis.

New South Wales in direct path of more floods

The neighboring state of New South Wales is preparing for a flood onslaught as waters move downstream into their river systems. Some of the affected towns such as Grafton and Lismore and Kyogle are not newcomers to floods. Other inland regions will also suffer.

The sun is shining and the birds are singing

This morning I awoke to the sounds of birds singing and soon the sun came up - our first fine day in weeks. Although the rain has gone for the time being, nothing can stop the floods happening while the water makes its way out to sea.

What more can I say? Queensland has had enough rain and floods but our fair state is at the mercy of nature.

Sources:

www.couriermail.com.au/

Television news coverage on Australia's Seven Network

Personal recollections of the 1974 Brisbane Floods