Toowoomba's West Creek was a mini Colorado River in recent days, but there is the potential for further flooding.
To date, the number of deaths due to flooding in Queensland is eight. At least 18,000 homes were damaged. In New South Wales four people have died. Up to 500,000 New South Wales residents have been evacuated. There are still severe weather warnings in place there with the risk of flash flooding.
If you're feeling concerned for the hundreds of thousands of flood victims, you're not alone. And for those affected, they need not feel alone either. With your help, we can get everyone on the road to recovery sooner. Here are some ways you can help.
Lend a helping hand to your neighbours who have been affected by floodwaters. By pitching in with the clean-up process, you can ease the pain of others; simply ask them if you can add your broom to sweep out the mud. If your neighbours are fine, you could look around your local shops for people trying to get their businesses back in order.
The Toowoomba emergency crew are doing a great job cutting back trees.
The
Toowoomba Regional Council is doing a great job cutting back the trees in the CBD, which has been so heavily inundated that the trees were bending down to touch their toes, creating a safety hazard. The region's Local Disaster Management Group is in 'stand up' status, with emergency services, Council and other stakeholders assisting in emergency response activities. Council advises the public to
stay up-to-date with weather alerts and road closures.
Toowoomba has sustained less flooding compared to other regions and their clean-up is virtually done, but we remember our disaster in the 2011 flood, which was much worse. At that time, floodwaters reached up to one metre in the city centre. Thanks to a massive overhaul of the waterways, this time the damage was not as disastrous. Nevertheless, there are many who need your help in south east Queensland. Here is where you can
make a donation to get people back on their feet. Goods, services and money can be donated through the Queensland Government website to the
State Emergency Services.
The aftermath of a flooded creek in the Toowoomba CBD, showing just how high the water level was.
All three of Toowoomba's dams are full at present. Here is a link to
check dam levels.
Obtain sandbags from the State Emergency Service.
An example of current advice from the Toowoomba Regional Council:
Use extreme caution on the roads and avoid travelling on flood-affected roads.
When driving watch for potholes, washouts and other hazards.
Stay away from floodwater.
Affected residents can obtain help and sandbags from the State Emergency Service, call 132 500.
Link here to current flood advice, the
Community Update.
Toowoomba's Mayor, Paul Antonio stated, 'The LDMG is coordinating with relevant emergency services and would monitor advice and information from the State Disaster Coordination Centre and the Bureau of Meteorology.' Here's a link to
view current weather warnings.
There are a range of options for you to
receive help or to help others, on the Queensland Government website, including grants, accommodation, physical health and wellbeing, mental health and wellbeing, financial support, reducing the impact on the vulnerable, cleaning up and how you can help. Here is a link to the
volunteering webpage.
Flood water is a powerful enough force to uproot trees and wash cars away, so stay away from flooded areas.
In the spirit of togetherness, just listening to people who have been affected is a part of flood recovery. After the January 2011, flooding Toowoomba residents needed to share their experiences for around one year following the event. If you can't visit, give your loved ones regular
phone calls and emails with encouragement. If you wanted to be extra-generous, you could offer a bed for the night or even offer to pay for a hotel room in Toowoomba to people who need to get away from their area in Brisbane.
Lump sum payments for Queenslanders can be applied for via the government website.
Let's all pitch in to help the flood victims of 2022 and stay updated with official warnings, until we see this crisis pass. Stay safe, as there is still the potential for flash flooding in the Toowoomba region over this coming weekend.
