TRC remembers and reflects on devastating 2011 floods

Devastation shook our region 11 years ago, taking with it three precious lives. What have we learnt from it?

ELEVEN years ago, residents of the Darling Downs watched as a natural disaster unfolded, and communities were cut off from the world.

This week, Queensland watched as a similar weather event poured down and history repeated itself.

On January 10, 2011, more than 160mm of rain fell in 36 hours – on top of an already saturated month – across the city of Toowoomba.

As a result, the West and East creeks, once a low and calm flowing system, turned into a raging river, now referred to as an inland Tsunami.

Images taken by resident Penny Cowell as flash floods hit the city of Toowoomba, west of Brisbane causing widespread damage and deaths, as torrential rain continues to fall in flood-ravaged Queensland.

“January 10, 2011 remains an unforgettable date for many people across Toowoomba City and our wider region,” Toowoomba Regional Council acting mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said.

“(The) anniversary is likely to stir many different emotions for residents who recall the remarkable events, especially anyone who was out and about on the day.

“Parts of our region had experienced flooding in late December 2010 and early 2011 and many other parts of Queensland were about to experience disastrous and deadly floods.

“More than 78 per cent of Queensland was declared a disaster zone.”

Chalk drive car park, Toowoomba flood, Monday, 10 January 2011. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Three people in the Darling Downs lost their lives during the tragedy; Donna Rice, her son Jordan Rice, and Robert Kelly.

Statewide, 33 people were killed, with three remaining missing and presumed dead.

“Lives and livelihoods were up-ended and disrupted. As the water quickly receded, the full extent of the damage to property and infrastructure was revealed,” Cr McDonald said.

“As president of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce at the time of the floods, I experienced first-hand how our community spirit came to the fore, with people helping others before themselves.

“Businesses that were inundated in the floods had volunteers turning up from every corner of our community to help them get back to trading in the shortest possible time.”

In the 11 years since the tragedy, the Toowoomba Regional Council has focused on preparing for future flooding events.

“We can take great pride in the projects completed since then that have made our region a much safer and more flood-resilient place to live,” Cr McDonald said.

“Council’s top priorities have been to improve public safety, upgrade our flood immunity and enhance our awareness about preparing or inevitable future events.

“The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry clearly stated in its final report that councils had a responsibility to mitigate future flood impacts.

“Council has undertaken significant flood mitigation works in the Gowrie Creek catchment to improve public safety and create a more flood-resilient community.

“These projects reduce the likelihood of flooding in the CBD and now offer safety improvements at many road crossings across the city.”

Students from St Marys school in Toowoomba help out with the clean-up at St Marys school in Laidley on Friday. Photo: Rob Williams / The Queensland Times

Toowoomba Regional Council have completed detention basins on Ballin Drive and Garnet Lehmann Park.

“Reducing the peak flow in turn reduces risks and hazards to the public and reduces downstream flooding and impacts,” Cr McDonald said.

TRC has also completed numerous channel works along sections of the East and West Creeks and surrounding streets.

“The combination of detention basins and channel improvement works means that water gets away faster and more safely, reducing the risk of flooding,” Cr McDonald said.

Edward Spark rescued from flooded Dent St by QFRS swift water specialist David Crichton during Toowoomba floods. Photo Nev Madsen / The Chronicle

“Flood early warning systems have been installed at Toowoomba and Oakey and plans are progressing to include more locations.

“Council also has upgraded the Toowoomba Region Disaster Dashboard that offers our community real-time access to vital information.

“Council’s flood recovery program included more than 1800 projects valued at $247 million, and more than one million hours were working on the main recovery program.”

Cars are seen submerged in East Creek between Ruthven Street and Chalk Drive, Toowoomba flood, Monday, 10 January 2011. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Cr McDonald said that while there have been floods through the city, there was “nothing quite on this scale in recent times”.

“While we can’t completely safeguard against extreme weather events, I’m confident that residents are better informed about how they can keep their families safe,” he said.

QFRS firefighters work to confirm that this vehicle found in Gowrie Creek days after the massive flood swept through Toowoomba contains no bodies, Friday, 14 January 2011. Toowoomba flash flood aftermath Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

“I’m also confident that our region has vastly improved infrastructure that will offer greater resilience to withstand future flooding and mitigate flood impacts.

“That’s a legacy that will serve our region for generations.”

Originally published as TRC remembers and reflects on devastating 2011 floods