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Highlights
- Brisbane and its adjoining areas are experiencing the worst flooding since 2011.
- The officials stated that the current water level was 61 centimetres lower than the 4.46 metre flood level reached in 2011.
- Residents who were stranded resorted to social media to ask for help.
On Monday, parts of Brisbane, Australia's third-most populated city, were under the water after heavy rains caused record floods on the east coast. At least nine people have died so far, including eight in Queensland and one in the state of New South Wales, as per media reports.
According to Queensland state police, a man in his 50s perished on Monday after driving his car into floodwater before daybreak in Gold Coast city, south of Brisbane.
However, On Saturday (26 February 2022), a solitary sailor in his 70s fell overboard from his vessel in the Brisbane River near the city centre, prompting a search. Police are also looking for another couple of people, including one missing from Goodna (west of Brisbane) and another from Esk (northwest of Brisbane).
The Queensland Department of Education also announced to close more than 100 schools on Monday.
Life-threatening flash flooding was reported in portions of the Gold Coast. According to officials, in just 24 hours, emergency teams performed more than 130 swift-water rescues.
Source: © Jackschiffer | Megapixl.com
What was the water level of Brisbane River?
On Monday (28 February 2022), the Brisbane River reached a height of 3.85 metres. The officials stated that the water level was 61 centimetres (2 feet) lower than the 4.46 metre (14 foot. 3 inches) flood level reached in 2011.
At least 2,145 homes and 2,356 businesses in Brisbane suburbs were flooded, prompting many emergencies flood alarms. Another 10,827 homes were inundated due to floods.
Since November, when authorities were considering water use restrictions due to a shortfall, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk claimed that the rainfall over Brisbane had been unprecedented.
According to officials, the town's river is expected to reach a level of 52 feet late Monday. More than 15,000 people have fled from the north coast of New South Wales, and the military has been dispatched to assist with the evacuation.
In New South Wales, the town of Lismore is witnessing record-breaking floods. The torrential rain on Sunday night took the authorities off guard, leaving inhabitants little time to evacuate, with many becoming trapped in attics and stranded on roofs as floodwaters rose swiftly.
On Monday, Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg described the situation as "a catastrophe unfolding in before of our eyes," estimating that 400 people were trapped. Residents who were stranded resorted to social media to ask for help.
Bottom Line
Over the last few years, Australia has been battered by extremely severe weather, including devastating fires, drought, and widespread flooding.
