BACK in March this year I wrote a column regarding the flooding in the Ipswich area in February.
With another wet season forecast I feel that we should revisit the thoughts expressed in that column.
I’m fully aware that many were affected by the down pour we had and we have a right to be concerned about future events that might happen.
However, it seems to be the delight of the media to use wild graphics and maps to show how much rain and wild weather is forecast.
Large bands of dark blue moving quickly across the state with suggestions of the amount of rain that will fall over a seven day period.
I think that there are many seniors in the area terrified that another event will occur and TV broadcasts with sensationalised details only heighten the anxiety that they feel.
Yet there is something that every resident can do. We can be aware of the information being broadcast and make some preparations to move if instructed by the police or SES.
Also, available to every Ipswich resident on the internet are relevant details that will show us all that we need to know regarding a coming flood event.
First we have the ‘BOM’ site that allows us to monitor the event as it unfolds, this information is updated every 20 minutes and is a great indication of what lies ahead.
There is a site that allows us to see ‘Ipswich tide times’ so that you can judge more accurately the picture of how this will affect your area.
Another site that you can monitor is the ‘flood levels’ of all the creeks and rivers nearby which may have an impact on your safety.
Information like local water heights and bridge crossings are updated continually on the council website.
For those in the Ipswich area the height of water at the town bridge is important to watch.
There is a site regarding dam levels and catchment information that would seem pertinent to your complete knowledge of the situation.
If you have been impacted by a previous flood event, or you’re a new resident, make it your business to find out where it peaked, while also checking the height at the town bridge and any other relevant information that may come your way.
Mark the height where the water came to last time, check when the tide was and don’t rely on memory, write it down and keep in a safe spot.
After all another event could be many years away. All floods are different and depend on where the heavy rain falls, circumstances change, so be aware of all the various measurements available to you.
By linking all this information together, you can rest a little easier knowing full well that you’re on top of the situation.
Resulting information will give you an idea when one needs to move, but it would be prudent to allow a level of safety to your calculations just in case.
Generally, floods are slow moving but by using the tools at our disposal we can chart our own course during flood times and not be too concerned at the first sign of heavy rain.
