Flood surveys aim to improve disaster preparedness

In some communities, residents have reported Tropical Cyclone Debbie as being the worst flooding experienced in residents’ living memory.

To gain a better understanding of the impact caused by the flooding associated with Cyclone Debbie, council will be conducting three public survey sessions:

> Sandy Creek Flood Study Survey: Sunday, May 19, from 11am to 2pm at North Eton CWA Hall

> Rocky Dam Flood Study Survey: Saturday, May 25, from 1pm to 4pm at Koumala Community Hall

> Funnel Creek Flood Study Survey: Sunday, May 26, from 1pm to 4pm at CWA Hall, Sarina Range

The feedback will be used to develop flood studies to assess the risk of flooding and actions to improve planning, emergency management and disaster preparedness in the catchments.

If you don’t live in these catchments, you can still complete a survey as the information provided may inform future flood studies.

At the sessions residents will be asked to complete a survey and detail how Cyclone Debbie flooding affected their property.

Part of the survey asks for photos or videos of the flooding and any rainfall measurements that may have been recorded. Residents are asked to bring these along to the community flood survey session, preferably on a USB stick.

Those who cannot attend the sessions can complete the survey online at www.connectingmackay.com.au.

Council was successful in receiving assistance to undertake the flood studies through the 2017-2018 Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP), jointly-funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments.