Brisbane CBD ordered to evacuate? - Page 10

Jim Goose · 13-01-2011, 05:37 PM

Getting out of scope of this thread all the insurance talk, but a rep from an insurance company was interviewed before.

He says that there only two types of policies: One is for flash flooding/ storm surge, this is like what happened in Toowoomba.... that is a flash flood.

The other was for tidal surge (i think), which is where either a river breaks its banks and causes flooding, such as what happened in Brisbane. (or king tides which cause flooding in low laying areas).

Flash flooding is covered in most basic insurance policies (it may be called something else).... the tidal/ river surge flooding is not.

Smoke Pursuit · 13-01-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

I think this could easily turn into a civil law suit as someone already mentioned as a result of not being covered.

How... If you arent covered by your policies then I cant see how you can sue the insurer. Each policy should have it covered in the disclosure statement!

wicksy · 13-01-2011, 05:49 PM

alot of people in emerald arent covered with their insurance as it was flash flooding or tidal, which is a bit of a bummer

**GasoLane** · 13-01-2011, 06:27 PM

RE: the PDS, Yaw is right, all policies differ.

During the recent floods here, albeit much smaller than in Toowomba/Bris, two families living on a rural properties next to each other near a creek with different insurers.

One was covered for flooding, the other wasn't.

blueoval · 13-01-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

How... If you arent covered by your policies then I cant see how you can sue the insurer. Each policy should have it covered in the disclosure statement!

Im not saying they will, but some may feel entitled to try and get the cash from somewhere in maybe suing the government or who ever for the damages rather than copping it on the chin and starting again.

I doubt they will succeed, but I dont doubt people will still try it.

XESP351 · 13-01-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

He says that there only two types of policies: One is for flash flooding/ storm surge, this is like what happened in Toowoomba.... that is a flash flood.

The other was for tidal surge (i think), which is where either a river breaks its banks and causes flooding, such as what happened in Brisbane. (or king tides which cause flooding in low laying areas).

Flash flooding is covered in most basic insurance policies (it may be called something else).... the tidal/ river surge flooding is not.

After further reading of the PDS, i believe this is correct. Flash flooding is called 'storm and rain water' and is covered. Tidal surge is simply called 'Flood' and that is definitely not covered.

In my opinion, it's a bit grey and gives the insurance company a 'get out clause', this is highlighted by the above example of two adjacent properties, one is covered one isn't.

I really do feel for those who are deemed to be not covered after they lost everything. Devastating stuff.

SEZ213 · 13-01-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

No it didn't. It was built to mitigate against just such an event and even raised in recent years. I'd bet Brisbane received both the Lockyer Valley inflow, plus a large percentage of containment water simultaneously when the gates were opened up. There won't be an independent review, but there should be.

If Wivenhoe hadn't been built...I wouldn't be sitting here typing this.

Wivenhoe holds nearly 3 million megalitres...the flooding that we have had even with Wivenhoe is a good indication of how much water has flowed through. It's all well and good to say there should be an independent review...but you can't have missed all the rain we had. No amount of planning could have prevented this flooding (unless there was another dam the size of Wivenhoe). And even if this was viable, hindsight is always 20/20...in this instance, it wasn't the case.

Yes, the release from Wivenhoe caused issues for the CBD, but to be honest, I think the devastation that occurred in the Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Emerald, Grantham, etc. has certainly been enough for these people.

I think there may be a few too many people putting a little too much pressure on the powers that be instead of understanding that as it stands now, it's a 'natural disaster'.

Nobody is perfect, please don't try and blame someone for this, it doesn't help. If this isn't in fact what you're saying, I'll apologise in advance, I may have misread exactly what you're trying to say.

The fact that most of the news reporting is focusing on the centre of Brisbane is frustrating, particularly given that most of the damage to both livelihoods and lives has occurred outside the CBD whereby the people had no warning and no way of escaping, and the fact that Goondiwindi is now at risk and other parts of Northern NSW.

The important thing is that people are doing their absolute best, including the Premier, to keep this situation under control and trying to restore some normality to what has destroyed and disrupted the lives of many - these people have nothing, and nowhere to go. Instead they are relying on the good will of their neighbours and the generosity of strangers.

**Peuty** · 13-01-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sezzy

If Wivenhoe hadn't been built...I wouldn't be sitting here typing this.

Wivenhoe holds nearly 3 million megalitres...the flooding that we have had even with Wivenhoe is a good indication of how much water has flowed through. It's all well and good to say there should be an independent review...but you can't have missed all the rain we had. No amount of planning could have prevented this flooding (unless there was another dam the size of Wivenhoe). And even if this was viable, hindsight is always 20/20...in this instance, it wasn't the case.

This x100

I came here to post exactly that.

Bucknaked · 13-01-2011, 07:45 PM

Can the Dam be enlarged to hold more water?

NC1183 · 13-01-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Can the Dam be enlarged to hold more water?

Would take a mammoth engineering feet to do, i would think, as not only the top made higher but the base would need to be made exponentially wider to cope with the extra weight baring down and against it, esp. in times of sever flood.

Personally, i think that anyone who thinks that the dam(s) made things worse has blinders on. Most dam's in this country were built for two purposes. Irrigation (including drinking water) and flood control. If Wivenhoe wasn't there Brissy would have copped all the water from Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley in one hit, instead they have reduced the speed in which the water hit Brisbane which would have caused much more devastation and damage, most probably taking more lives.

AndrewR_AUII · 13-01-2011, 08:01 PM

Once all this is over, there will be time to look back and see what could have been done better. There will be lessons to learn which will be able to be applied next time - and hopefully, that is not for a long, long time.

There are already lessons for everyone in Australia:
- What exactly DOES your insurance cover. I'd suggest that a lot of people in QLD did not consider themselves to be at risk of flood, or didn't consider the possibility of an event like this one.

- If you had to evacuate, what would you take with you ? Where would you go ?
While the chance of a flood may be low - what about a gas leak or burst water main, chemical spill ??

**DJM83** · 13-01-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

No it didn't. It was built to mitigate against just such an event and even raised in recent years. I'd bet Brisbane received both the Lockyer Valley inflow, plus a large percentage of containment water simultaneously when the gates were opened up. There won't be an independent review, but there should be.

FFS, there is more pressing issues at hand right now then a bloody review. As has been said if it werent for Wivenhoe me along with A LOT of other people wouldnt be here today

GOLDIE · 13-01-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC1183

Would take a mammoth engineering feet to do, i would think, as not only the top made higher but the base would need to be made exponentially wider to cope with the extra weight baring down and against it, esp. in times of sever flood.

Personally, i think that anyone who thinks that the dam(s) made things worse has blinders on. Most dam's in this country were built for two purposes. Irrigation (including drinking water) and flood control. If Wivenhoe wasn't there Brissy would have copped all the water from Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley in one hit, instead they have reduced the speed in which the water hit Brisbane which would have caused much more devastation and damage, most probably taking more lives.

Just a note the water from toowoomba and lockyer valley does not go anywhere near the wivenhoe it goes into the bremer river which goes though ipswich and than into brisbane river.

dams do help but there needs to be more of them.

Ian

XDV800 · 13-01-2011, 08:59 PM

Then there are the unlucky MANY who were unable to take out insurance at all against river rise inundation because insurers know they were vulnerable. Know a couple of guys who are well off with flash joints that got swamped at chelmer and yeronga they are uninsured against this type of occurence because nobody would insure them!!!
Lucky for them they are well off enough to rebuild, but the majority won't be.

I would also like to declare that we have a spare room and double bed with all facilities and some room for storage available to any affected that need it, I would be more than happy to come and pick up also, please don't hestate to ask, we are at Capalaba.

Road Games · 13-01-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Can the Dam be enlarged to hold more water?

I am really trying to bite my tongue on this one.. the "Traveston Dam Project",
which MABO and the greenies got overturned.. please correct me if i'm wrong ?
It would have taken till 2017 to finish i believe , but just maybe a future occurance like this may be lessened...

And instead of people jumping up and down about their land being reclaimed , at least they will have money to show for it instead of an "Act of nature', taking away all they possess and the countless innocent lives lost... sorry but i just had to mention this , i will butt out now ..
Darren.

prydey · 13-01-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDIE

Just a note the water from toowoomba and lockyer valley does not go anywhere near the wivenhoe it goes into the bremer river which goes though ipswich and than into brisbane river.

dams do help but there needs to be more of them.

Ian

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockyer_Creek

lockyer ck flows into the brisbane river near lowood.

**Peuty** · 13-01-2011, 09:38 PM

Some more pics. This time taken closer to the city.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...71#post3525471

SEZ213 · 13-01-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Some more pics. This time taken closer to the city.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...71#post3525471

As usual some stellar shots Peuty, the syringes are a little concerning though, where was that taken?

davez104 · 13-01-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Getting out of scope of this thread all the insurance talk, but a rep from an insurance company was interviewed before.

He says that there only two types of policies: One is for flash flooding/ storm surge, this is like what happened in Toowoomba.... that is a flash flood.

The other was for tidal surge (i think), which is where either a river breaks its banks and causes flooding, such as what happened in Brisbane. (or king tides which cause flooding in low laying areas).

Flash flooding is covered in most basic insurance policies (it may be called something else).... the tidal/ river surge flooding is not.

Pretty much right. Here's a link to a story from the 2008 floods that we had up this way. Mackay suffered flooding caused by heavy rain in the local Mackay area, their damages where covered. Emerald suffered flooding from heavy rain in the catchment upstream, their damages where not covered. Storm damage V's Flood damage. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news...235217203.html

NC1183 · 13-01-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDIE

Just a note the water from toowoomba and lockyer valley does not go anywhere near the wivenhoe it goes into the bremer river which goes though ipswich and than into brisbane river.

dams do help but there needs to be more of them.

Ian

Sorry my mistake.

**Peuty** · 13-01-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sezzy

As usual some stellar shots Peuty, the syringes are a little concerning though, where was that taken?

Very concerning. Thats the laneway that runs beside the Brekkie Creek Hotel.

There were literally dozens of them lying around....

Sam_Boss260 · 13-01-2011, 11:26 PM

Well it has been an interesting couple of days here. After losing power for 2 days, we had it restored tonight.

Thankfully we had no water damage to our property, but we are surrounded by the devastation.

Couple of points I'd like to make....

Firstly, if anyone in the Indooroopilly / Toowong / St Lucia / Chelmer area needs any help cleaning up, please PM me. I'll be out tomorrow again trying to lend a hand to anyone who will accept my offer.

Secondly, this was not simply a "CBD flood" that was a "pee in a puddle". Yes it affected the CBD, but the amount of homes that I have seen gone under and the amount of water damage around here is pretty bad. And this properties are not the wealthy ones along the waterfront. Take a look at the Fairfielld, Yeronga regions where water is ABOVE THE ROOF LINE. Come on guys... seriously. My heart goes out to these people who have lost their property or have suffered losses to their property and possesions.

Lastly, if you have been in Brisbane, you will know the amount of rain that we have had over the last 2 -3 months. It has been relentless. The earth year has been waterlogged for ages, and could not take anymore. This has meant that the damns have been above 100% capacity and well into their own flood mitigation levels, so they have to release water, not by choice but by necessity. So couple this with the damaging water that was coming from the Bremer and the king tides that we had all at the same time, and this flood was simply going to happen.

I never thought that I would say this, but my hat goes off to the BCC and SEQ water grid for mitigiang this event as it could have been very very worse. Plus the fact that it stopped ****ing down with rain on Tuesday afternoon, it did save things. 1 meter is not much, but when you see where the water came up to, and you add another meter to that - WOW !!

To all the Brisbane people on AFF, be safe out there and lets help those who will need a hand in the coming days / weeks.

Wally · 14-01-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

FFS, there is more pressing issues at hand right now then a bloody review. As has been said if it werent for Wivenhoe me along with A LOT of other people wouldnt be here today

Yes there is more pressing things and I've been doing them. I just hopped out of the shower to wash off the acid and solvent drenched mud that I've been removing since 4.00pm. I don't need telling off, I'm out there working my preferbial off cleaning up the mess, even those of my neighbours who haven't managed to turn up yet.

Allow those of us who have suffered, the right to have a say. I am not alone in my sentiments, maybe you should come down to Sumner Park and look at what we have to deal with and lend a helping hand. All I've seen today are sight seers and cops asking me if I'm looting, all of them suitably concerned, but not moved to roll up the sleeves.

Wivenhoe was full, it had nill effect against the wash from the downs, The gates were opened wide and we recieved a 1+1 outflow. If controlled flooding had been implemented prior it would have had some containment capacity, but it didn't.

The Monty · 14-01-2011, 01:46 AM

In the day that they released 400 000ML from Wivenhoe, coupled with the water from Towoomba, which ultimately caused the highest peaks when they coupled with the king tide, 1 500 000ML flowed into Wivenoe. If Wivenhoe didnt do its job, you would have an extra 1.1 million megalitres flow through the city on thursday morning. You do the math. If Wivenhoe didnt do its job, I would HATE to think of the outcome.
As much as I dont like our current government, this has been extremely well handled, and Im super impressed at all facets to do with the floods and handling by them in the last few days, unreal stuff.

Corzza · 14-01-2011, 06:52 AM

Queenslanders how is the clean up going? The water low enough to get back into brisbane cbd?

atec77 · 14-01-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corzza

Queenslanders how is the clean up going? The water low enough to get back into brisbane cbd?

Not a chance
http://www.abc.net.au/news/

GOLDIE · 14-01-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockyer_Creek

lockyer ck flows into the brisbane river near lowood.

Ok it goes into the brisabne river but lowood is still below the dam so it was un controlled.

Ian

Mercury 8 · 14-01-2011, 08:33 AM

Anyone needing a generator or petrol gurney should start looking soon.Hardly anything available around Brisbane.I have an electric gurney and access to 2 others but without power they are not much use.I managed to get the last petrol one from hire joint,it is booked solid for the next 2 weeks.My local hire joint is bringing all there stuff up from the coast,have tried buying in more gear as well to no availe.

Sam_Boss260 · 14-01-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monty

As much as I dont like our current government, this has been extremely well handled, and Im super impressed at all facets to do with the floods and handling by them in the last few days, unreal stuff.

Agreed Monty.

I am really impressed with Campbell Newman, he had a difficult job and I think he did an awesome job - Respect

zdcol71 · 14-01-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury 8

Anyone needing a generator or petrol gurney should start looking soon.Hardly anything available around Brisbane.I have an electric gurney and access to 2 others but without power they are not much use.I managed to get the last petrol one from hire joint,it is booked solid for the next 2 weeks.My local hire joint is bringing all there stuff up from the coast,have tried buying in more gear as well to no availe.

Something I never even thought of...I have a petrol gurney, and a couple of 240v compressors, If they are of help to anyone in the clean up, PM me. (Wynnum area)