Flood Barrier USA

Communities Cut off in Flood-ravaged Australia

Author: Donna Conneely

Thousands of people have been left stranded- many completely cut off- in the latest wave of flooding in Australia. Water has crept into farmlands and towns, completely overwhelming flood barriers and sandbag embankments in its unstoppable encroachment.

The floodwater has created an immense inland lake where before existed farms, pastures and communities. One town has been cut neatly in half, forming two islands filled with stranded residents. Hundreds of people throughout Queensland and New South Wales are trapped on small hills and prominences and the military has now been rousted to help with search and rescue missions.

As the rain continues to pound the area, river levels are rising dangerously and several levees are considered to be at risk of bursting. Residents of communities downstream are being urged to flee to higher ground, in case the protective flood barriers fail.

Wildlife in the area is also struggling for survival, with many non-arboreal species seen clinging to trees and rooftops as the water engulfs all low-lying land. Cotton crops have been destroyed, with many 500-hectare farms suffering losses as high as $500,000 each.

In some areas the flooding is said to be the worst in over 60 years, with much more flooding expected in the coming months. Authorities are urging people to avoid crossing, driving, or walking through floodwaters, as the incredible strength of the current is likely to drag off even cars and heavy vehicles. Flash floods are considered to be a continuing threat even after the rains cease.

Food, water, and first aid supplies are desperately needed in water-isolated areas; airplanes and helicopters are being used to drop in supplies. As the inundation spreads, coal and other mines are being closed to prevent trapping miners. Some of these mines are still coping with water left from last year’s floods, and the mining companies are in the process of installing or improving flood protection infrastructure.

Now that extreme flooding has become an annual catastrophe in Australia, many are investigating options for permanent flood protection such as beefed-up flood barriers and higher embankments. With the young year 2012 already shaping up to match the disastrous 2011, more than one farmer is thinking in despair, “What?! Not this again!”

This entry was posted on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm and is filed under Flood Protection. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.