‘Prepare for the worst’: Mayor’s ominous summer flood warning
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has issued a stark warning that flooding over summer could be as catastrophic as the record-breaking 2022 event with above-average rainfall expected throughout summer.
Brisbane City
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Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has issued a stark warning that potential major flooding over summer could be as catastrophic as the record-breaking 2022 event with above-average rainfall expected until March next year.
Brisbane was hit with an 81mm rain bomb on Saturday, triggering widespread flash-flooding and forcing thousands of diehard cricket fans to flee the Gabba’s sellout Test match between Australia and India.
Nearly 70mm of rainfall was recorded at East Brisbane in an hour, while 81mm was recorded at Mansfield in the same time frame.
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“We can’t prevent flooding in Brisbane, but we can be better prepared and that’s why I am urging residents to use the time they have now before Christmas to get prepared,” Mr Schrinner said.
“We live in Australia’s most disaster-prone state so we should never be complacent when it comes to severe weather.
“You can hope for the best but I’m urging everyone in Brisbane to prepare for the worst.”
Brisbane received more than 237mm of rain throughout November, double the monthly average, and with more rain and thunderstorms forecast for the South East next week Mr Schrinner urged locals to get ready now.
“The ground is already absolutely saturated from a wet November and that means there’s a real possibility of flooding, particularly if the rainfall exceeds predictions like it did in 2022,” he said.
“It only took three days for Brisbane to experience its worst-ever flood in 2022 and it could happen again.”
Weather Bureau senior meteorologist Steve Hadley said while showers were expected to pair back across Brisbane on Sunday, wild weather, including storms, would return from Monday.
“Through Monday to Wednesday, we see showers and thunderstorms returning to Brisbane and much of the southeast as well,” he said.
“With the thunderstorms being quite isolated and where they’re producing heavy rainfall, it’s difficult to give an area where we’re particularly watching for floods.
“People just need to be aware that there is rain in the forecasts for the next few days. There could be some very localised flash flooding problems or river and creek rises.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast indicates a 60 to 80 cent change of above average rainfall between January and March 2025.
Brisbane’s 2022 floods ranked among the most devastating in the city’s history with more than 10 people, including a State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer, killed across South East Queensland.
Lowood SES volunteer Meryl Dray drowned after the car she was travelling in was swept away in floodwaters at Coolana, near Ipswich following a late-night call-out.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigated the 62-year-old’s death and charged Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) earlier this year.
During the 2022 flood event, Brisbane received 676.6mm of rain in three days, exceeding the previous three-day record of 600.4mm from 1974.
Prior to February 2022, Brisbane had not recorded two consecutive days of over 200mm rainfall.
The intense rainfall on sodden ground over that period impacted 23,400 properties spread across 177 Brisbane suburbs.
The flood event also resulted in multiple dramatic rescues, including people plucked from rooftops and a man pulled from the Brisbane River at Howard Smith Wharves after his houseboat sank.
Brisbane landmarks including Suncorp Stadium and the XXXX brewery at Milton were also inundated with water.
Council encouraged Brisbane residents to register for the free Brisbane Severe Weather Alerts; tidy their property; make an emergency evacuation plan and prepare an emergency kit with supplies for three days and secure loose items in their yard, such as trampolines and furniture.
“Preparing now could save your home, your pets, your loved ones, and your life in a disaster,” Mr Schrinner said.
“With the ground so saturated, there’s now a strong chance of flash flooding with any short, sharp downpours from now on,
“We can expect flash flooding if it continues to rain in the lead up to Christmas.”
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