Floods occur when water covers land, which is normally dry. They may result from prolonged or very heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, monsoonal (wet season) rains in the tropics, or tropical cyclones. People who live near rivers or in low-lying coastal areas live with the greatest threat of floods.

Common Types of Flooding

Flooding of rivers in the vast flat areas of Queensland may last for one or more weeks, or even months on some occasions. Floods in these areas can lead to major losses of livestock and damage to crops as well as extensive damage to towns.

Flooding can occur more quickly in the mountain headwater areas of the larger rivers as well as in the rivers draining to the coast. These floods are generally much more damaging and can pose a greater risk of loss of life and property. This is because there is generally much less time to take preventative action, and the flow of water is more dangerous.

Flash flooding results from relatively short, intense bursts of rainfall, often from thunderstorms. It can occur in almost all parts of Australia and poses the greatest threat of loss of life. People are often swept away after entering floodwaters on foot or in vehicles. This type of flood can also result in significant property damage and social disruption.

Flood Warnings

Minor flooding causes inconvenience such as closure of minor local roads and low bridges.

Low lying areas will be inundated requiring removal of stock, equipment and evacuation of isolated homes. Main traffic bridges may be covered.

Higher areas will be inundated with isolation of towns and properties, causing extensive damage.

Where intense rain can be expected to cause high run-off in restricted areas, but doesn’t cause significant rises in main streams.

This term is used when river rises are expected but it is not

Sometimes it helps to understand how people respond to disaster. For people immediately affected this can help to work your way through the grief and loss process. Below are some of the responses people can have to disaster. Some people may have few or many of these. Getting over them takes time but usually results in personal growth and increased maturity

Although people rarely lose control, in the days following the disaster they may have difficulty with planning, decision-making, setting priorities or anticipating future needs. They may feel disoriented, confused or uncertain about the future. Emotional reactions may be postponed or displaced onto
apparently unimportant things.

In the weeks and months after the disaster, people may go through a wide range of emotions, including shock,fear, grief, sadness, anger, uncertainty and insecurity about the future. There are also strong feelings of altruism,togetherness and concern. It is a time of intense, changing emotions.

People react strongly to political or other community events.There is a tendency for emotions to be expressed via practical problems or other events in their lives such as to blame those providing services for things over which they have no control.

People are often overloaded or under constant stress for many months in the recovery period.Health may deteriorate,accidents increase and relationships become tense. Often these problems develop slowly without those concerned noticing because of their preoccupation with other more pressing events.

The inequality of the disaster’s effects on people leads to jealousy, rivalry and changes in friendship networks.Misunderstanding and confusion are common together with doubt and scepticism about what can be trusted and accepted.

For many people, some effects of the disaster only become obvious after a year or longer. They involve economic hardship, effects of living under stress for a long period,poor health, depression, relationship problems, problems with children’s development or behaviour, loss of leisure and recreation, loss of friendship networks, loss of sense of direction in life, continuing disturbing memories of the disaster.

People may feel isolated from friends and family because their continuing concern with it is not understood. The community may have undergone changes and no longer feels the same as the one they once knew, so they feel isolated at home as well.

Many aspects of marital and family life, which may have been postponed because of other demands now come to the fore,often in the form of crises.

help is available when you are experiencing these responses. Talk to your family and friends and reach out to organisations and specialists in the community for further support if necessary. Know that you are not alone.

This fact sheet has been reproduced from information provided by Dr Rob Gordon, Clinical Psychologist, consultant to the State Emergency Recovery Unit of the Victorian Department of Human Services.

It is intended as a guide to help people deal with traumatic events and is not a substitute for seeking professional help.