Queensland flood crisis - experts respond
The most recent flash floods in Queensland, which started on Monday, have now claimed at least 10 lives, and left 56,000
properties without power. Ninety people are still missing, and evacuation warnings have been issued in Brisbane.
----------- Professor Ron Cox, of the UNSW School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the Convenor of the
Australian Climate Change Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure (ACCARNSI). He is also an
expert commentator on safety of people and vehicles in floodwaters. He is the lead author on recent revisions to
Australian Rainfall and Runoff, the guideline document of Engineers Australia for hydrology, water resources and flood
design.
"The recent flood events in Queensland are a clear indication of the need for improved planning to adapt future
development for our settlements and infrastructure. With expanding settlements, extreme weather resulting in emergency
situations can be expected to become more frequent with higher temperatures and climate change." On the safety of people
and vehicles moving through floodwaters:
"The combination of velocity and depth at which people and vehicles become unsafe is very low so the only practical
advice is that people and vehicles should not enter flowing water of any depth. High velocity flows, even at
ankle-depth, can knock a person off their feet and put their lives at risk. Vehicles are less safe than people in
floodwaters. Generally a mature adult can walk in flowing water to a certain depth more safely than a vehicle can travel
in it. Modern vehicles are so airtight that they float very easily." ----------- Dr Jane Shakespeare-Finch is a trauma
expert from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
"The people in Toowoomba and neighbouring areas have had a terrifying time They had no way of picturing the momentum of
the flash flood and no control of the elements. Now they need each other and community support. They need to feel safe
and parents need to be able to keep hugging their kids. Those of us not affected can make themselves available with
fresh water, food, shelter; the things needed for basic survival." ----------- Professor Michael Sherris, head of
Actuarial Studies at the Australian School of Business is available for comment on the risk of catastrophes, and how it
impacts on insurance premiums.
"As supply falls and demand increases, premiums increase. In this case demand is increasing due to the catastrophic
events, and supply is falling due to capital constraints on insurers.
"Premiums reflect the underlying risks so that those with houses in flood or catastrophe prone areas will have
relatively more expensive insurance. Recent reports, such as one by the ASIC that examined home insurance after the
Canberra bushfires, show that Australian homeowners are under-insured. The ASIC report indicated that as many as 81 per
cent of consumers have insufficient insurance coverage of at least 10 per cent for the costs of rebuilding their home."
ENDS